Self-determined motivation and physical activity in children and adolescents : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Katherine B. Owen, Jordan Smith, David R. Lubans, Johan Y. Y. Ng, Chris Lonsdale

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Objective - Self-determination theory is used as a framework for examining the relation between motivation and physical activity. The purpose of this review was to systematically review studies that assessed the association between self-determined motivation and physical activity levels in children and adolescents. Method - We searched electronic databases in April 2013. Included studies assessed the relation between motivation (as outlined in self-determination theory) and physical activity in children and adolescents. Results - Forty-six studies (n = 15,984 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis indicated that overall levels of self-determined motivation had a weak to moderate, positive associations with physical activity (ρ = .21 to .31). Autonomous forms of motivation (i.e., intrinsic motivation and identified regulation) had moderate, positive associations with physical activity (ρ = .27 to .38), whereas controlled forms of motivation (i.e., introjection and external regulation) had weak, negative associations with physical activity (ρ = − .03 to −.17). Amotivation had a weak, negative association with physical activity (ρ = − .11 to − .21). Conclusions - Evidence provides some support for self-determination theory tenets. However, there was substantial heterogeneity in most associations and many studies had methodological shortcomings.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)270-279
    Number of pages10
    JournalPreventive Medicine
    Volume67
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

    Keywords

    • children
    • developmental psychology and motivation
    • exercise
    • teenagers

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