Associations between Weight Status and Situational Motivation toward Fitness Testing in Physical Education: The Mediator Role of Physical Fitness

Alberto Grao-Cruces, Alejandro Racero-García, David Sánchez-Oliva, David Blanco-Luengo, Alberto Nuviala and Tomás García-Calvo
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Alberto Grao-Cruces: GALENO Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cadiz, 11519 Puerto Real, Spain
Alejandro Racero-García: GALENO Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cadiz, 11519 Puerto Real, Spain
David Sánchez-Oliva: GALENO Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cadiz, 11519 Puerto Real, Spain
David Blanco-Luengo: Department of Sport and Computer Science, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013 Seville, Spain
Alberto Nuviala: Department of Sport and Computer Science, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013 Seville, Spain
Tomás García-Calvo: Faculty of Sport Science, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-12

Abstract: Background: This article examines the differences in situational motivation toward fitness testing in physical education classes between non-overweight and overweight students, as well as the mediator effect of objective and perceived physical fitness on the relationship between weight status and motivation toward fitness testing. Methods: A total of 534 adolescents (298 boys, 55.80%) participated in the study. Perceived physical fitness and situational motivation toward fitness testing were measured through questionnaires, whereas weight status and physical fitness were objectively measured. Results: Overweight students had lower intrinsic motivation ( p < 0.001), and higher external regulation ( p < 0.01) and amotivation ( p < 0.05) during fitness testing in a physical education class than their non-overweight peers. The influence of being overweight on motivation regulations toward fitness testing was mediated by objective physical fitness level for intrinsic motivation ( B = −0.140), external regulation ( B = 0.104) and amotivation ( B = 0.146). Perceived physical fitness was also used as a second mediator between weight status and intrinsic motivation ( B = −0.117). Conclusions: Strategies to improve objective and perceived physical fitness in overweight students are necessary to increase self-determined motivation during fitness testing in physical education lesson.

Keywords: obesity; cardiorespiratory fitness; muscular fitness; mediating role; school; self-determination theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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