Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

SCOTT MCDONIEL

Abstract

Adult physical activity is important for prevention of chronic diseases and to minimize health issues; therefore, the motivational influences of sociodemographic variables on participation in organized physical activity events warrant an investigation. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate differences in motivational influences between various sociodemographic variables as related to physical activity events in organized settings. The theoretical framework that guided this research study consisted of the theory of reasoned action (TRA), and the health belief model (HBM). The TRA was applied to study the intention of health behavior, while the HBM was used to investigate individuals' motivation to engage in organized physical activity events. A cross-sectional study design in which an online survey consisting of the 40 item Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale was used to collect data from adults who participated in an organized 5K or 10K running or walking event. The inferential statistical tests of the independent t test, one-way ANOVA, and ordinal logistic regression were used to determine the statistical relationships. The main research finding suggested that 6 motivational influences showed statistically significant relationship with organized physical activity events, which consisted of others' expectations (p = .025), competition/ego (p = .001), appearance (p = .001), affiliation (p = .034), mastery (p = .001), and psychological condition (p = .002) as it relates to their age group and gender. The research findings may be used to influence engagement in future organized physical activity events by understanding the sociodemographic variables relating to participation rates that may result in increased physical activity behavior within the community.

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