Predicting Changes in Physical Education Teachers’ Behaviors Promoting Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using an Integrated Motivational Model

International audienceTo promote students’ physical activity (PA) during the COVID-19 lockdown, Physical Education (PE) teachers invested an unprecedented effort. This study identifies motivational determinants in changes in PE teachers’ behaviors promoting PA. 931 Italian and French teachers’ motivational determinants and behaviors promoting PA were measured, regarding before and during lockdown. Increased autonomous, controlled motivation, self-efficacy, perceived usefulness toward digital technologies and decreased amotivation were associated with an increased intention to promote PA. Increased intention, but also self-efficacy and perceived usefulness toward digital technologies, were associated with increased behaviors promoting PA. Implications regarding the investment of teachers in challenging situations are discussed