Constraints to Exercise: Attitudinal Antecedents and Motivational Consequences

• Published in: World leisure journal 2006-01, Vol.48 (4), p.22-32
• Main Authors: Iso-Ahola, Seppo E., Hamberger, Michael, Savage, Kyle, Oviatt, David, Goldstein, Jay, Ambach, Kimberlee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: attitude; constraints; exercise; motivation
• ISSN: 1607-8055; 2333-4509
• DOI: 10.1080/04419057.2006.9674463

The purpose or this study was to test Iso-Ahola and St. Clair's (2000) theoretical model of exercise motivation, according to which attitudes and knowledge are negatively related to constraints while constraints in turn have a negative effect on motivation. The model also predicts direct positive effects of attitudes and knowledge on motivation. 180 undergraduate students served as subjects. The data lent strong support for the model and suggested that the model is a parsimonious way of explaining exercise motivation. To further examine constraints' motivational consequences, three exerciser groups' (sedentary, occasional, frequent) perceived constraints were compared statistically. As hypothesised, frequent exercisers were significantly lower on the combined score of constraints and different types (internal and external) of constraints than occasional exercisers who in turn perceived significantly fewer constraints than sedentary persons. This linear trend, however, was more evident among female than male subjects. Additionally, sedentary females also perceived more internal-permanent and internal-temporary constraints than the other female or male exerciser groups. Taken together, the results suggest that constraints have strong (negative) motivational consequences but these effects are tempered by positive attitudes toward and better knowledge about exercise.