Understaning strenuous and moderate intensity exercise participation and motivation: A social-cognitive perspective

The purpose of this study was to determine the viability of the revised social-cognitive model in explaining self-reported strenuous and moderate intensity physical activity and motivation for physical activity. Subjects (N = 357) were male (n = 204) and female (n = 153) university students as well as members of the local community, aged 18-87 years. All subjects were able to read English and participate in physical activity. Participants completed a questionnaire packet containing measures of basic demographic information, physical activity, relative autonomy, goal orientations, implicit self-theories, and confidence. Baron and Kenny (1986) outlined three specific steps to fulfill mediation or suppression. These steps were followed to determine the viability of the revised social-cognitive model. For strenuous intensity physical activity, competence was partially mediated by mastery-approach goals. For moderate intensity physical activity, competence and incremental theory were partially mediated by mastery-approach goals. For relative autonomy, competence and incremental theory were partially mediated by mastery-approach goals. In addition, competence was partially suppressed and entity theory was partially mediated by performance-avoidance goals. Based on the results, portions of the revised social-cognitive model are viable for understanding physical activity participation and motivation.