Examining the Psychometric Properties of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire

The purpose of this study was to examine select psychometric properties of the Be-havioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ; Mullen, Markland, & Ingledew, 1997). To accomplish this aim, data were gathered in 2 phases to evaluate the BREQ’s factorial composition and structure and the relation between the BREQ, need satisfaction, exercise behavior, and relevant motivational constructs. Partici-pants completed measures assessing psychological need satisfaction, optimism, per-ceived behavioral control, exercise behavior, and the BREQ. Phase 1 results sup-ported the original 4-factor measurement model and a simplex model of structural relations between latent BREQ constructs suggested within self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985), and results supported the positive relations between more self-determined motives and greater psychological need satisfaction and frequent ex-ercise behavior. Phase 2 results provided further construct validity evidence for the BREQ by linking subscale scores with greater perceived behavioral control in a man-ner consistent with theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985). Collectively, these results further support the construct validity of the BREQ and lend credence to the notion of measur-ing exercise motivation from a multidimensional perspective using self-determina-tion theory as a guiding framework in the exercise domain. Key words: self-determination theory, exercise adherence, psychometric properties Understanding why people exercise is a central focus of motivational research in both health and exercise psychology (Dishman, 1994). One theoretical approach to the study of motivation that has received considerable attention recently in healt