Motivational profiles for physical activity among adults with type 2 diabetes and their relationships with physical activity behavior

Abstract

Using self-determination theory, the aim of this study was to examine motivational profiles toward physical activity among adults with type 2 diabetes and how these profiles predict physical activity. In total, 381 adults with type 2 diabetes (188 or 49.3% women, M age = 61.39, SD = 7.29) completed a questionnaire assessing their physical activity motivation and behavior. First, results of a multiple regression analysis showed that intrinsic and identified motives were positively associated with leisure-time physical activity over the past three months while results of a multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that higher levels of intrinsic and identified motives were associated with observing physical activity recommendations for type 2 diabetes (i.e. practicing 150 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week). Then, results of a cluster analysis distinguished four distinct motivational profiles: self-determined, controlled, moderate, and non-self-determined. Participants reporting the highest physical activity participation level and observing physical activity recommendations were more likely to present a self-determined profile. The present study highlights the benefits of using both a variable-centered and a motivational profile approach. They also highlight the importance of examining the type of motivation associated with physical activity practice among adults with type 2 diabetes since autonomous forms of motivation positively influence both the frequency of leisure-time physical activity and the observance of physical activity recommendations for type 2 diabetes.