Evaluation of a mandatory theory-based physical activity course on motivation among predominantly Hispanic college students.

Heather Barton-Weston, Wei-Ju Chen, David Fike, Randall Griffiths, Gregory Soukup, Lei-Shih Chen
Author Information
  1. Heather Barton-Weston: Department of Human Performance, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
  2. Wei-Ju Chen: Department of Psychology, University of Texas Permian Basin, Odessa, Texas, USA.
  3. David Fike: Department of Human Performance, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
  4. Randall Griffiths: Department of Human Performance, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
  5. Gregory Soukup: Department of Human Performance, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
  6. Lei-Shih Chen: Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA. ORCID

Abstract

ObjectiveThe present study aims to examine the impacts of a mandatory physical activity (PA) course on exercise motivation among predominately Hispanic college students. The course was designed based on the Self-Determination Theory to increase students' PA motivation. A total of 383 college students (=126; =257; =19.6; 67.6% Hispanic/Latino[a]) participated in the course and completed the Behavioral Regulation to Exercise Questionnaire-2 at the beginning (pretest) and the end of the course (post-test). This questionnaire measured five motivation constructs: amotivation, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, introjected regulation, and identified regulation. Findings showed significant increases from pretest to post-test in all five motivation constructs ( < 0.01). Although the mandatory PA curriculum successfully increased the intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, introjected regulation, and identified regulation among college students, amotivation was also increased. These outcomes suggested some positive impacts on Hispanic college students' motivation to participate in PA. Findings can assist researchers and educators in developing, implementing, and evaluating required PA courses in colleges and universities.

Keywords

MeSH Term

Female
Humans
Male
Exercise
Hispanic or Latino
Motivation
Students
Universities
Curriculum

Word Cloud

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