Predicting strenuous, moderate, and mild exercise frequency and subjective vitality by exercise behavioral regulations among older adults

Kapralou, A.^1*, Bebetsos, E.¹, Vlachopoulos, S.P.² , Antoniou, P.¹

¹Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, University Campus, Komotini, 69132, Greece

²Laboratory of Social Research on Physical Activity, Department of Physical Education & Sport Science at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Aghios Ioannis, Serres, 62110,Greece

*Contact Corresponding Author:

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of types of exercise behavioral regulations in predicting weekly frequency of strenuous, moderate, and mild exercise and subjective vitality within self-determination theory among Greek older adults. Participants were 445 older adults participating in either individual exercise activities or group-based indoor exercise programs. Data were collected using the Behavioral Regulation in Questionnaire-2 (BREQ-2: Markland & Tobin, 2004), the Subjective Vitality Scale (Ryan & Frederick, 1997) and the Leisure Time Exercise (GLTEQ: & Shephard, 1985). Linear regression analyses revealed that strenuous and mild exercise frequency were negatively predicted by external regulation while moderate exercise frequency was not predicted by any type of regulation; subjective vitality was positively predicted by external regulation to a small extent with stronger prediction by introjected regulation and intrinsic motivation. The present findings support to a large extent self-determination theory predictions regarding exercise behavior among Greek older adults.

Keywords: self-determination theory; motivational regulations; elderly; physical activity

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