Determining and comparing the level of motivation for exercise according to the sociodemographic characteristics of university students

Abstract Background Motivation levels for exercise vary widely among individuals and are influenced by various factors. This study aimed to compare exercise motivation levels and explore influencing factors among university students. Methods A cross-sectional research design targeted university stud...

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Main Authors: Mohammad Ahsan, Mohammed Feroz Ali, Mumtaz Alam
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20971-2
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author Mohammad Ahsan
Mohammed Feroz Ali
Mumtaz Alam
author_facet Mohammad Ahsan
Mohammed Feroz Ali
Mumtaz Alam
author_sort Mohammad Ahsan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Motivation levels for exercise vary widely among individuals and are influenced by various factors. This study aimed to compare exercise motivation levels and explore influencing factors among university students. Methods A cross-sectional research design targeted university students aged range 18 to 32 years. Participants (n = 148) were selected via cluster random sampling. Motivation for exercise was determine by the Exercise Motivation Inventory (EMI-2). EMI-2 comprises fourteen different subscales of motivation, with each subscale containing three to four items. All items were rated on a scale of 0 to 5, with 0 indicating “not at all true for me” and 5 indicating “very true for me.” Statistical analyses included ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient to assess differences among demographic variables (year of study, age, gender, marital status, location, and family size) and relationships between motivational aspects. Results The average exercise motivation level among all students was 166.94 ± 32.20. Fifth-year students exhibited the highest motivation 178.33 ± 30.37. No significant gender differences were found (p = 0.149). However, age (p = 0.024), location (p = 0.015), marital status (p = 0.050), and family size (p = 0.030) significantly influenced exercise motivation. Conclusion University students demonstrate inherent motivation for physical activity, with significant variations observed across demographic factors. These findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions to promote exercise and enhance student well-being. Further research, including longitudinal studies, is warranted to comprehensively understand exercise motivation dynamics in this population.
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spelling doaj-art-8fef88dee22143caaebe670903ac98c92024-12-22T12:53:18ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-12-012411810.1186/s12889-024-20971-2Determining and comparing the level of motivation for exercise according to the sociodemographic characteristics of university studentsMohammad Ahsan0Mohammed Feroz Ali1Mumtaz Alam2Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal UniversityDepartment of Secondary and Sports Education, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National UniversityDepartment of Social Sciences, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National UniversityAbstract Background Motivation levels for exercise vary widely among individuals and are influenced by various factors. This study aimed to compare exercise motivation levels and explore influencing factors among university students. Methods A cross-sectional research design targeted university students aged range 18 to 32 years. Participants (n = 148) were selected via cluster random sampling. Motivation for exercise was determine by the Exercise Motivation Inventory (EMI-2). EMI-2 comprises fourteen different subscales of motivation, with each subscale containing three to four items. All items were rated on a scale of 0 to 5, with 0 indicating “not at all true for me” and 5 indicating “very true for me.” Statistical analyses included ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient to assess differences among demographic variables (year of study, age, gender, marital status, location, and family size) and relationships between motivational aspects. Results The average exercise motivation level among all students was 166.94 ± 32.20. Fifth-year students exhibited the highest motivation 178.33 ± 30.37. No significant gender differences were found (p = 0.149). However, age (p = 0.024), location (p = 0.015), marital status (p = 0.050), and family size (p = 0.030) significantly influenced exercise motivation. Conclusion University students demonstrate inherent motivation for physical activity, with significant variations observed across demographic factors. These findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions to promote exercise and enhance student well-being. Further research, including longitudinal studies, is warranted to comprehensively understand exercise motivation dynamics in this population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20971-2Exercise motivationUniversity studentsDemographic factorsCross-sectional study and tailored interventions
spellingShingle Mohammad Ahsan
Mohammed Feroz Ali
Mumtaz Alam
Determining and comparing the level of motivation for exercise according to the sociodemographic characteristics of university students
BMC Public Health
Exercise motivation
University students
Demographic factors
Cross-sectional study and tailored interventions
title Determining and comparing the level of motivation for exercise according to the sociodemographic characteristics of university students
title_full Determining and comparing the level of motivation for exercise according to the sociodemographic characteristics of university students
title_fullStr Determining and comparing the level of motivation for exercise according to the sociodemographic characteristics of university students
title_full_unstemmed Determining and comparing the level of motivation for exercise according to the sociodemographic characteristics of university students
title_short Determining and comparing the level of motivation for exercise according to the sociodemographic characteristics of university students
title_sort determining and comparing the level of motivation for exercise according to the sociodemographic characteristics of university students
topic Exercise motivation
University students
Demographic factors
Cross-sectional study and tailored interventions
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20971-2
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AT mohammedferozali determiningandcomparingthelevelofmotivationforexerciseaccordingtothesociodemographiccharacteristicsofuniversitystudents
AT mumtazalam determiningandcomparingthelevelofmotivationforexerciseaccordingtothesociodemographiccharacteristicsofuniversitystudents