Effects of Attitude, Motivation, and Eagerness for Physical Activity among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

The effect of exercise motivation on college students' self-efficacy: the mediating roles of leisure satisfaction and mental toughness

Background

The theory of motivation suggests that individual motivation is moderately stimulated to drive individuals to engage in the behaviors for which they are motivated. It is therefore that the moderate stimulation of exercise motivation will likely lead to the enhancement of college students' participation in exercise.

Objective

Investigate the effect of exercise motivation on college students' self-efficacy, reveal the mediating role of leisure satisfaction and mental toughness, and provide empirical evidence improving college students' self-efficacy through exercise motivation.

Methods

A stratified whole-sample approach was employed to survey 715 college students, based on a correlation table with good reliability and validity. Scale items were designed to collect subjects' exercise motivation, self-efficacy, leisure satisfaction, and mental toughness in the study context. Mediation effect analyses were carried out using SPSS and AMOS.

Results and conclusion

A significant positive effect of exercise motivation on self-efficacy (β = 0.18, p < 0.001), leisure satisfaction (β = 0.50, p < 0.001), and mental toughness (β = 0.45, p < 0.001). Leisure satisfaction and mental toughness had a significant positive effect on self-efficacy (β = 0.40, p < 0.001; β = 0.30, p < 0.001). Furthermore, leisure satisfaction and mental toughness significantly mediated in exercise motivation and self-efficacy. In conclusion, our findings further explored the effects of exercise motivation on college students' self-efficacy and revealed the mediating roles of leisure satisfaction and mental toughness.

Knowledge of and Intention to Participate in Physical Activity Programs and Their Associated Sociodemographic Factors in People with High Blood Pressure in a Rural Area of Bangladesh: Initial Investigation from a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

This initial investigation aimed to investigate the knowledge of the health benefits of physical activity (PA) and attitudes towards participation in PA. The study recruited 307 people aged 30-75 years with hypertension as part of a cluster randomized controlled trial from a rural area in Bangladesh. Of the 307 participants, 135 participated less than 2.5 h of physical activity per week, from which we collected data on attitudes toward PA. Regression analysis and Rasch analysis were used. More than 85% of homemakers, employees or businesspersons were willing to take part in PA. Based on the combined score from the knowledge and attitude items, 46% of people endorsed PA programs; proportions were higher in men than women (53% vs. 41%). After adjusting for covariates, men (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.50, 1.72-7.11) compared to women and people with at least primary levels of schooling (OR 3.06, 95% CI, 1.27-7.38) compared with those with no education were more likely to organize or take part in any PA programs. People have positive attitudes towards PA but do not feel obligated to participate in PA programs. Future programs are needed to promote awareness and motivational interventions for PA, especially targeting women and people with low education levels, should be developed and implemented.