Motivational predictors of subjective welbeing in active adults gymnasium practitioners

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine motivational predictors of subjective well-being in active adults who practice gymnasium, based on the theory of self-determination. 348 subjects participated in this study, 174 of both sexes, between 18 and 67 years old (M=31.83 SD=12.86), with an average of 4.37 years of practice of gym activities, mostly training 3 times a week, with an average of 310.11 minutes weekly. The Basic Psychological Needs Scale in Exercise, the Exercise Behavioral Regulation Questionnaire, the Life Satisfaction Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affects Scale were used. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation and linear regression by blocks were elaborated. The highest mean values were recorded for the basic psychological need for autonomy, autonomous motivation and life satisfaction. There were positive correlations between basic psychological needs, autonomous motivation, life satisfaction, positive affect and the volume of minutes of weekly training. Positive correlations were also observed between controlled motivation, amotivation and negative affect. The linear regression analysis allowed us to verify that the basic psychological needs explain a higher percentage value for the variability of data on satisfaction with life and positive affect, compared to motivation.