It Is Not Just a Matter of Motivation: The Role of Self-Control in Promoting Physical Activity in Older Adults—A Bayesian Mediation Model

Autor: Nicola Camp, Roberto Vagnetti, Samuel Penner, Catarina Ramos, Kirsty Hunter, John Hough, Daniele Magistro
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Healthcare, Vol 12, Iss 16, p 1663 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2227-9032
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12161663
Popis: This study aimed to understand how psychological factors affect regular exercise in older adults, hypothesising that trait self-control mediates the relationship between motivation types (intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation) and exercise time. In this cross-sectional study, 430 older adults (mean age = 68.8 ± 6.72) completed questionnaires regarding their perceived trait self-control, motivation towards leisure activities, and level of physical activity. A Bayesian mediation analysis was performed, controlling for demographics. We documented positive direct (c′ = 0.021, 95%CI [0.001, 0.043]) and indirect (ab = 0.028, 95%CI [0.014, 0.043]) effects of intrinsic motivation on exercise, a fully mediated indirect effect of extrinsic motivation on exercise (ab = 0.027, 95%CI [0.011, 0.046]), and negative direct (c′ = −0.281, 95%CI [−0.368, −0.194]) and indirect (ab = −0.161, 95%CI [−0.221, −0.105]) effects of amotivation on exercise. There was no direct association between extrinsic motivation and exercise (c′ = 0.013, 95% CI [−0.013, 0.037]). In conclusion, trait self-control mediates motivation to influence exercise behaviour in older adults. Intrinsically motivated individuals resist sedentary living and show higher self-control, while extrinsically motivated ones rely on self-control and are more susceptible to non-adherence during mental fatigue. High amotivation is linked to less exercise and reduced self-control, suggesting potential non-compliance with structured exercise interventions.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals