The influence of motivation and attentional style on affective, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes of an exercise class. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Exercise classes are a popular form of physical activity. A greater understanding of the individual difference factors that might influence the outcomes of such classes could help to minimize the high dropout rates associated with exercise. The study explored the effects of dominant attentional style and degree of self-determination on affective, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes following structured exercise classes. Data from 417 female participants revealed that those with a dominant attentional style for association (Associators) reported significantly (P < 0.05) more positive affective, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes than did Dissociators, and were more self-determined. Highly self-determined individuals reported the most positive outcomes. Almost 29% of the variance in participants' affective valence could be explained by Dissociators' behavioral regulations. Results lend support to the notion that attentional style is associated with motivation. The combination of attentional style and degree of self-determination appear to be noteworthy individual difference factors that influence responses to exercise classes and could thus have a bearing on long-term exercise adherence.

publication date

  • November 4, 2015

Research

keywords

  • Affect
  • Attention
  • Cognition
  • Exercise
  • Motivation
  • Physical Education and Training

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84965177287

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1111/sms.12577

PubMed ID

  • 26530034

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 27

issue

  • 1