Abstract
Mental and physical health are two fundamental components in a person's life that directly affect well-being. Across continents, cultures, and all human backgrounds, mind and body are something every individual has in common. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between mental and physical activity when accounting for motivation.
Understanding this relationship is critical for developing more effective health interventions and motivational strategies, especially among adolescent and young adult populations. The researchers hypothesized that intrinsic motivation and physical activity would positively predict well-being.
Participants in this study were students attending Northwestern College. Participants included both male and female students, primarily of Caucasian descent, with smaller numbers identifying as African American, Asian, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and "other." Participants ranged in age from 18 to 28 years and represented all years of college.
This study used one scale for each of the three variables measured, intrinsic motivation, well-being and physical activity. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression in SPSS. Intrinsic motivation total was highly significant (p < 001) and was the strongest predictor. Walking total was also statistically significant (p = .041).
These results suggest that both walking activity and intrinsic motivation significantly predict overall well-being. Vigorous and moderate physical activity were not statistically significant predictors. In summary, intrinsic motivation and lower-intensity physical activity, specifically walking, appear to be more beneficial for well-being than high-intensity exercise. The hypothesis that physical activity as a whole combined with intrinsic motivation would predict well-being was not supported; however, walking and intrinsic motivation together were significant predictors of well-being. This research appears to be less applicable to the general population because of its sample size.
Included in
Health and Motivation
Mental and physical health are two fundamental components in a person's life that directly affect well-being. Across continents, cultures, and all human backgrounds, mind and body are something every individual has in common. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between mental and physical activity when accounting for motivation.
Understanding this relationship is critical for developing more effective health interventions and motivational strategies, especially among adolescent and young adult populations. The researchers hypothesized that intrinsic motivation and physical activity would positively predict well-being.
Participants in this study were students attending Northwestern College. Participants included both male and female students, primarily of Caucasian descent, with smaller numbers identifying as African American, Asian, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and "other." Participants ranged in age from 18 to 28 years and represented all years of college.
This study used one scale for each of the three variables measured, intrinsic motivation, well-being and physical activity. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression in SPSS. Intrinsic motivation total was highly significant (p < 001) and was the strongest predictor. Walking total was also statistically significant (p = .041).
These results suggest that both walking activity and intrinsic motivation significantly predict overall well-being. Vigorous and moderate physical activity were not statistically significant predictors. In summary, intrinsic motivation and lower-intensity physical activity, specifically walking, appear to be more beneficial for well-being than high-intensity exercise. The hypothesis that physical activity as a whole combined with intrinsic motivation would predict well-being was not supported; however, walking and intrinsic motivation together were significant predictors of well-being. This research appears to be less applicable to the general population because of its sample size.