Acta Univ. Palacki. Olomuc., Gymn. 2009 39(2): 33-42

Life satisfaction and the motivation to adopt physical activity in females of middle and late adulthood

Dana Štěrbová, Jana Harvanová, Radka Hrochová-Hrubá, Milan Elfmark
Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University, Olomouc

Background: Among the key factors which influence the quality of experiences in middle and late adulthood are physical health and bodily changes. Females are tuned positively to introducing changes in lifestyle (incl. physical activity). The motivation to participate in physical activity is influenced by the way how women perceive themselves, especially in terms of bodily self perception.

Objective: This study examines the associations between perceived life satisfaction, the type of individual set goals, and satisfaction with bodily self concept as related to physical activity.

Methods: The study examined factors influencing the motivation to adopt physical activity in a sample of 41 females in middle and late adulthood (aged 40-65). The methods applied were the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSQ) and the Monitoring of Motivational Factors and Bodily Self concept (Monitoring) in the course of the six-month regular performance of physical activity (hereinafter PA).

Results: Identifying body shape goals goes along with their reaching for the support of an increase in one's satisfaction with bodily self-perception. The regular physical activity of these women positively influenced their perceived well being, too. Non body shape goals do not have any clear relationship to the perception of individual well-being and bodily self perception. More than one factor has an influence on the increasing well being of exercising women than only just regular physical activity. No significant associations between the perceived level of life satisfaction and personal satisfaction with bodily self perception was found.

Conclusions: The study has confirmed the significance of internalized individual goals for motivation to practice regular PA, which reflect themselves in the experiences and feelings of satisfaction with their physical and mental state in women of middle and late adulthood. To indentify the factors motivating women to take up physical activity, the multidimensional approach needs to be applied.

Keywords: Women, middle age, motivation, physical activity, life satisfaction, bodily self perception, well being

Prepublished online: February 2, 2010; Published: March 1, 2009  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Štěrbová, D., Harvanová, J., Hrochová-Hrubá, R., & Elfmark, M. (2009). Life satisfaction and the motivation to adopt physical activity in females of middle and late adulthood. Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica, 39(2), 33-42
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Annesi, J. J. (2004). Relationship of perceived health and appearance improvement, and self motivation, with adherence to exercise in previously sedentary women. European Journal of Sport Science, 4, 1-13. Go to original source...
    2. Bandura, A. (1973). Self efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84, 191-215. Go to original source...
    3. Biddle, S. J. H. (1997). Cognitive theories of motivation and the physical self. In K. R. Fox (Ed.), The physical self: From motivation to well being (pp. 59-82). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
    4. Biddle, S., & Mutrie, N. (1991). The psychology of physical activity. London: Springer-Verlag. Go to original source...
    5. Cviková, V., Mižáková, E., & Skybová, K. (2007). Psychosociálne faktory nadváhy. In D. Čechová & L. Gorecká (Eds.), Osobnosť v kontexte kognícii, emocionality a motivácii (pp. 17-18). Bratislava.
    6. Dosedlová, J., Slováčková, Z. (2008). Předpoklady zdraví a životní spokojenosti. Brno: MSD.
    7. Fahrenberg, J., Myrtek, M., Schumacher, J., & Brähler, E. (2000). Fragebogen zur Lebenszufriedenheit (FLZ). Handanweisung. Göttingen: Hogrefe.
    8. Fox, K. R. (2000). Self esteem, self perceptions and exercise. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 31(2), 228-240.
    9. Frederic, C., & Ryan, R. (1993). Differences in motivation for sport and exercise and their relationships with participation on mental health. Journal of Sport Behaviour, 16, 124-146.
    10. Grogan, S. (2000). Body image. Psychologie nespokojenosti s vlastním tělem. Praha: Grada.
    11. Harvanová, J., Štěrbová, D., & Hrubá, R. (2007). General life satisfaction and motivational factors in females aged 40-65 to adopt regular physical activity. Acta Univeristatis Palackianae Olomoucensis. Gymnica, 37(2), 49.
    12. Heinzelmann, F., & Bagley, R. W. (1970). Response to physical activity programs and their effects on health behaviour. Public Health Reports, 85, 905-911. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    13. Hrubá, R., Otipková, D., Štěrbová, D., & Harvanová, J. (2007). Volný čas a pohyb jako součást životní spokojenosti žen ve věku střední a pozdní dospělosti. In D. Heller, V. Mertin, I. Sobotková (Eds.), Psychologické dny 2006 - Prožívání sebe a měnícího se světa (p. 16). Praha: Univerzita Karlova.
    14. Kuhl, J. (1983). Motivation, Konflikt und Handlungskontrolle. Berlin: Springer. Go to original source...
    15. Lazarus, R. S. (1981). The stress and coping paradigm. In E. C. Cohen, A. Cleinman, & P. Maxim (Eds.), Theoretical Bases of Psychopathology. New York: Spectrum. Go to original source...
    16. Lyons, J., & Miller, W. C. (1999). Effective health promotion and clinical care for large people. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 31(8), 1141-1146. Go to original source...
    17. Maehr, M. L., & Nicholls, J. G. (1980). Culture and achievement motivation: A second look. In N. Warren (Ed.), Studies in Cross-cultural Psychology (pp. 221-267). New York: Academic Press. Go to original source...
    18. Marcus, B. H., Emmons, K. M., Simkim-Silverman, L., Linnan, L. A., Tailor, E. R., & Bock, B. C. (1998). Evaluation of motivationally tailored versus standard self help physical activity intervention at the workplace. American Journal of Health Promotion, 12, 246-253. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    19. McAuley, E., Courneya, K. S., & Rudolph, D. L. (1994). Enhancing exercise adherence in middle aged males and females. Preventive Medicine, 23, 498-506. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    20. McDonald, K., & Thompson, K. (1992). Eating disturbance, body image dissatisfaction, and reasons for exercising: Gender differences and correlational findings. International Journal of Eating Dissorders, 11, 289-292. Go to original source...
    21. Medeková, H. (2005). Vplyv pohybové aktivity na somatický, motorický a psycho-sociálny rozvoj človeka. Č. 1/2512/05.
    22. Ortí, E. S., & Donaghy, M. (2004). A cognitive-behavioural intervention to increase adherence of adult women exercises. Advances in Physiotherapy, 6, 84- 92. Go to original source...
    23. Polivy, J., & Herman, P. (2000). The false hope syndrome: Unfulfilled expectations of self change. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9, 128-131. Go to original source...
    24. Roberts, G. C. (2001). Advances in motivation in sport and exercise. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
    25. Ryan, R. M., Frederick, C. M., Lepes, D., Rubio, N., & Sheldon, K. M. (1997). Intrinsic motivation and exercise adherence. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 28, 335-354.
    26. Segar, M., Spruijt-Metz, D., & Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2006). Go figure? Body shape motives are associated with decreased physical activity participation among midlife women. Sex Roles, 54, 175-187. Go to original source...
    27. Singer, R. N., Murphey, M., & Tennant, L. K. (1993). Handbook of research on sport psychology. New York: Macmillan. Go to original source...
    28. Snyder, E. E., & Kivlin, J. E. (1975). Women athletes and aspects of psychological well being and body image. Research Quartely, 46, 191-199. Go to original source...
    29. Song, R., June, K. J., Kim, C. G., & Jeon, M. Y. (2004). Comparison of motivation, health behaviours, and functional status among elders in residental homes in Korea. Public Health Nursing, 21, 361-371. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    30. Spink, K. S., & Carron, A. C. (1992). Group cohesion and adherence in excercise classes. Journal of Sport & Excercise Psychology, 14, 78-86. Go to original source...
    31. Stewart, T. M. (2004). Light on body image treatment acceptance through mindfulness. Behavior Modification, 8(6), 783-811. Go to original source...
    32. Štěrbová, D., & Hrubá, R. (2005). Monitoring motivačních faktorů a tělesného sebepojetí [internal research tool of Center for Kinanthropology Research]. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého.
    33. Štěrbová, D., Hrubá, R., Harvanová, J., Elfmark, M., & Otipková, D. (2008). Faktory adherence k pohybové aktivitě žen ve věku 40-65 let. Československá psychologie, 52(4), 378-387.
    34. Tiggemann, M., & Williamson, S. (2000). The effect of exercise on body satisfaction and self esteem as a function of gender and age. Sex Roles, 43, 119-127. Go to original source...
    35. Tomarken, A. J., & Kirschenbaum, D. S. (1982). Self regulatory failure: Accentuate the positive? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 43, 584-597. Go to original source...
    36. Vágnerová, M. (2000). Vývojová psychologie: dětství, dospělost, stáří. Praha: Portál.
    37. Vágnerová, M. (2004). Základy psychologie. Praha: Karolinum.
    38. Werner, B. (1985). An attributional theory of achievement motivation and emotion. Psychological Review, 92, 3-9. Go to original source...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content