An Examination of Intramural College Students’ Exercise Motives and How They Relate to Body Mass Index

Authors

  • Elenna R. Cowen, B.S.
  • Eric Wiedenman, M.A.
  • Megan Adkins, Ph.D.
  • Kazuma Akehi, Ph.D.
  • James W. Ball, Ph.D.
  • Matthew R. Bice, Ph.D.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2018.71

Keywords:

Physical Activity, Motivation, Competence, Autonomy, Relatedness, Health

Abstract

Students that participate in recreational sports and regular exercise are more likely to continue
to be physically active. Thee purpose of this cross-sectional study design was to examine differentiating
motives among participants and how motivation constructs relate to body composition.College students
(n=403) were surveyed using the EMI-2 to determine motivational constructs in relation to body com-
position. Standardized coefficients indicate that Appearance (β=-0.242, p=0.001), Health Pressures (β
=0.208, p=0.05), and Weight Management ( β=0.332, p=0.001) have a statistically signi cant in uence
on intramural participants’ BMIs. This study is useful for promoting, designing, and implementing future
health programs for young adults.Creating diversity in activities encourages additional populations to
participate in physical activity opportunities, thus improving overall health and well-being.

Published

2018-10-01

How to Cite

Cowen, E. R., Wiedenman, E., Adkins, M., Akehi, K., Ball, J. W., & Bice, M. R. (2018). An Examination of Intramural College Students’ Exercise Motives and How They Relate to Body Mass Index. American Journal of Health Studies, 33(4). https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2018.71