Understanding college students motivation for physical activity participation The role of gender sport type and activity level

The present study aimed to investigate the motivational factors which has an influence on college students’ participation in recreational physical activities. In this sense, gender, sport type (team or/and individual sport) and level of physical activity (MET scores) differences within motivational dimensions were examined. In the frame of the current study, a convenience sampling strategy was utilized. 383 Middle East Technical University students (Mage= 21.42, SD=3.30) voluntarily participated to this study. Data were gathered with an instrument composing of three sections; a demographic information part, a self-report instrument for measuring physical activity, and Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS). Physical condition was found to be the most important participation motive, On the other hand, others expectations motive was the least important physical activity participation motive for Turkish college students. When physical activity participation motivations were compared with regard to gender, there was not any significant difference except for the appearance motivation. Females rated appearance motive lower than males for engaging in physical activity. However, significant sport type and level of physical activity differences were found. One-way MANOVA results revealed that team sport participants had significantly higher other’s expectations motivation with compared to individual sport participants. With respect to activity level difference, higher physically active participants have higher motivations and there were significant differences in competition, mastery and enjoyment motivations among medium and vigorous level physical activity participants. The knowledge of the most significant motives for physical activity participation according to variations of the individuals can help practitioners to lead individuals to activities that best suit them and that best motivate them which is very important to start and continue to any physical activity