The lack of regular physical activity causes major health problems among Americans. Questions of how to increase the percentage of people who are physically active through physical education programs remain unanswered. According to research on motivation, it is evident that a successful fitness education model must include affective components which produce experiences in which perceived self-efficacy, internal locus of control, and value for activity and its outcomes are developed. We do not know, however, whether these motivation factors are indeed related to activity maintenance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether these factors are related to activity participation of college students. / The participants were 460 undergraduate college students in lower-division courses at a major southeastern university. The dependent variable was the students' amount of regular physical activity participation. The independent variables were their degree of self-efficacy for regular activity participation, outcome expectations of regular activity participation, internal locus of control for activity participation, activity drive, and outcome values of regular activity participation. Multiple regression statistics were used to analyze the data. ANOVA and Duncan range tests were run to determine differences in motivational characteristics between the least active participants and those who participated in average levels of activity. / The results showed a significant relationship between motivation factors and activity participation at the p $<$.001 level. The self-efficacy and drive variables contributed to the model, with self-efficacy being the strongest contributor. Factors which distinguished the least active from average level participants were self-efficacy and the drives for health, meeting new people, and excitement. The valuing of health, fitness, enjoyment and satisfaction, and physical well-being also distinguished between these groups. / The results of this study imply the need for further research in the measurement and development of self-efficacy in physical activity situations. Research is also needed in the measurement of other qualities in the affective domain and their relationship to activity maintenance. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-08, Section: A, page: 3049. / Major Professor: Thomas A. Ratliffe. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1995.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_77515 |
| Contributors | Hildebrand, Kathryn Marie., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 116 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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