Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Among Adult Exercisers

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the basic psychological needs in exercise among adult exercisers regarding gender, type of exercise, age groups, and years of exercise. The Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale was administered to 234 adult exercisers (Mage=25.11, SD = 8.89 years). The participants were classified into two age groups (18-29 and 30-45 years) and three groups based on years participating in exercise programs (6 months to less than one year, 1-3 years, and more than three years) and three types of exercise groups (individual, group, and both). We found statistically significant gender and age group differences on the relatedness subscale (p<0.01). Female and in 30-45 age group exercisers had higher relatedness scores than those in the 18-29 age group and male exercisers. We also found statistically significant differences between groups of exercise types in all subscales (p<0.01). PostHoc comparisons revealed that exercisers participating in individual plus group exercises had significantly higher scores in all subscales than those participating only in individual or group exercises. Furthermore, significant differences regarding the years of participating were found in all subscales (p<0.01). Post hoc group (6 months to less than one year, 1-3 years, and more than three years) comparisons showed that participants exercising for six months to less than one year had lower scores. It was concluded that female and younger exercisers satisfied more relatedness needs in exercise. In addition, it has been noted that the type of exercise and longer-term participation are significant factors in meeting psychological needs during exercise.

Keywords

• Autonomy
• Basic psychological needs
• Competence
• Exercise type
• Relatedness

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