Associations between Self-Determined Motivation, Accelerometer-Determined Physical Activity, and Quality of Life in Chinese College Students

Kun Tao, Wenxi Liu, Shanying Xiong, Lodewyk Ken, Nan Zeng, Qingwen Peng, Xiaoni Yan, Junli Wang, Yizhong Wu, Mingzhi Lei, Xianxiong Li and Zan Gao
Additional contact information
Kun Tao: College of Kinesiology and Health Science, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China
Wenxi Liu: School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN 55414, USA
Shanying Xiong: Department of Physical Education, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen 518055, China
Lodewyk Ken: Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada
Nan Zeng: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523,USA
Qingwen Peng: College of Kinesiology and Health Science, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China
Xiaoni Yan: College of Kinesiology and Health Science, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China
Junli Wang: College of Kinesiology and Health Science, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China
Yizhong Wu: College of Kinesiology and Health Science, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China
Mingzhi Lei: College of Kinesiology and Health Science, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China
Xianxiong Li: School of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
Zan Gao: School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN 55414, USA

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-15

Abstract: Purpose : To better promote college students’ physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QoL), it is imperative to understand this population’s PA correlates, such as self-determined motivation and perceived competence. However, few studies existed in this area of inquiry among Chinese college students. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among Chinese college students’ self-determined motivation, PA, and QoL. Method: A total of 220 college students (115 females; M age = 20.29 years, SD = 2.37; M BMI = 20.67) were recruited from one university in south-central China. Participants were instructed to wear the ActiGraph GT9X Link (ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL, USA) accelerometers for 7 days. A minute-by-minute stepping rate methodology was used to determine participants sedentary behaviors, light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Participants’ self-determined motivation (autonomous, controlled, and amotivation), perceived competence, and QoL (physical function, stress, depression, fatigue, sleep, and social issues) were assessed by a battery of validated surveys in June 2017. Results : Participants reported moderate–high levels of PA correlates and QoL as the means ranged from 5.5 to 6 (out of 7) for PA correlates and 2.75 to 4 (out of 4) for QoL. The minute-by-minute stepping rate revealed participants had average 580.51 min/day in sedentary, 134.77 min/day in LPA, and 1.57 min/day in MVPA. Regression analyses for physical function, stress, depression, and social issues suggested that the models explained 4%–8% of the variances. Specifically, perceived competence was the negative predictor of the problems with physical function (β = −0.17, p < 0.05) and depression (β = −0.18, p < 0.01), amotivation was positively associated with depression and stress ( p < 0.05). Additionally, controlled motivation predicted the ability to participate in social roles and activities (β = 0.22, p < 0.05). No significant predictors emerged for fatigue or for sleep. Conclusions : Findings suggest Chinese college students’ perceived competence and social support are critical for improving PA and QoL. In addition, strategies are needed to motivate Chinese college students to engage in PA participation and improve overall well-being.

Keywords: depression; light physical activity; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; physical function; stress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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