Investigating exercise motivation within self-determination theory framework

Health authorities strongly emphasize and highly encourage the advantages of exercise. Nevertheless, it is widely recognized that majority of the population fails to engage in adequate exercise, with a primary obstacle being the absence of motivation. In order to achieve this objective, the basic psychological needs theory and general causality orientation theories have been applied, which are both sub-theories of self-determination theory. The study sample included 305 individuals, aged 18-62, who engage in exercise at gyms, walking trails, and similar outdoor settings. Participants completed the Personal Information Form, Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire, Behavioural Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire-3, Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale and General Causality Orientations Scale. The models were tested using regression analysis to examine the mediating and moderating variables, based on the hypotheses. The regression analysis revealed that intrinsic motivation partially mediated the association between the satisfaction of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) and exercise levels. The moderator variable analyses with regression did not support the hypotheses (H2 and H3). However, autonomy orientation played a moderating role in the relationship between satisfaction of autonomy and competence needs and intrinsic motivation. Similarly, control orientation played a moderating role in the relationship between satisfaction of relatedness need and intrinsic motivation and exercise duration. Satisfaction of competence need played a moderating role in the relationship between intrinsic motivation and exercise level.