An investigation into the relationship between physical activity motivation, flow, physical self-concept and activity levels in adolescence

Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours are critical health issues. Motivation is a key construct in the initiation and continuation of physical activity and it is during the period of adolescence that habits relating to physical activity are formed. Although research in the field of physical activity motivation is extensive, it has typically been diffuse and has lacked an integrated framework. This study established the validity of a hypothesised measure that operationalised this innovative approach in the form of four primary factors: adaptive cognitions and adaptive behaviours, and impeding dimensions and maladaptive dimensions. The study examined 368 Australian adolescents, the psychometric properties (known as a within network approach) of the Physical Activity Motivation Scale (PAMS) – a new instrument drawn from the educational domain and designed to measure physical activity motivation. It also examined the relations between motivation and three congruent constructs – enjoyment, physical self-concept and physical activity level (known as a between-network approach). In broad terms, relationships between the adaptive behavioural and cognitive aspects of motivation and physical self-concept, enjoyment, and activity levels were found to be positive and significant, whereas significant inverse relationships were found between maladaptive motivation dimensions and enjoyment and physical self-concept.