Autonomy Support, Motivation, Satisfaction and Physical Activity Level in Physical Education Class

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the motivational profile and relate it to teacher autonomy support, basic psychological needs, exercise enjoyment, and level of physical activity in a sample of 615 Brazilian adolescents (327 girls and 288 boys), aged between 12 and 14 years (M = 13.3, DT =.79). One group was identified as more self-determined with high intrinsic motivation and introjected regulation scores, while the other showed no self-determination, with high external regulation and demotivation. Self-determined adolescents perceive greater teacher support; exhibit better fulfillment of basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness; show greater enjoyment in physical education classes and engage in more physical activity.