Association between physical activity motives and type of physical activity in children

Abstract: Objectives: Motives for participating in a specific type of physical activity (PA) may differ across PA type in youth. We studied the relationship between PA motives and type of PA engaged in by youth. Design: Cross-sectional analysis using data from the Monitoring Activities of Teenagers to Comprehend their Habits (MATCH) study. Method: 802 students age 10-11 years from 17 primary schools in New-Brunswick, Canada completed a questionnaire that collected data on type of PA participated in (individual, group-based, organized, non-organized), PA motives (enjoyment, social affiliation, competence, fitness/health, appearance) and attainment of PA guidelines (60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per day). The associations between PA motives and PA type and between PA motives and attainment of PA recommendations were assessed in multilevel logistic regression models. Results: Endorsing enjoyment motives was associated with participation in organized PA (Odds Ratio, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.54, 1.24-1.91). Competence motives were associated with participation in group-based PA (1.27, 1.11-1.46) and achievement of PA recommendations (1.95, 1.37-2.78). Conclusion: Targeting enjoyment and competence motives may be associated with increased participation in organized and group-based PA as well as with an increased likelihood of meeting PA guidelines in youth