ECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH18
Introduction: The transition from childhood to adolescence is a critical period for the development of physical activity (PA) behaviors, as this stage marks the beginning of a well-documented decline in PA levels that continues into adulthood. However, it remains largely unknown which determinants are most influential in this stage of life. According to the Affective-Reflective Theory (ART) of physical inactivity and exercise proposed by Brand and Ekkekakis, PA behavior is driven by both “reflective evaluations” and “affective valuation”. The concept of “affective valuation” has been further refined into the construct of “affective exercise experiences”, defined as a summary valenced appraisal—ranging from pleasant to unpleasant—based on an individuals lifetime associations with exercise and their corresponding affective responses. This study aims to assess the predictive power of affective exercise experiences in determining PA behavior among middle school students. The hypothesis is that attraction to exercise—the motivational outcome variable in the conceptual model proposed by Ekkekakis et al.—effectively predicts PA behavior after one year. Methods: Data were collected as part of an annual PA monitoring project conducted in schools in Ferrara, Italy. Students completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (IPAQ-A) and the Affective Exercise Experiences Questionnaire (AFFEXX). Only students with two assessments spaced one year apart were included in the study. Results: A total of 228 middle school students (mean age = 12.62 ± 0.83 years; 135 males, 93 females) were assessed over two consecutive school years. At baseline, participants were highly physically active, engaging in an average of 21 ± 23 MET/h/week of PA, predominantly at vigorous intensity (162 ± 192 min/week), with a smaller portion performed at moderate intensity (92 ± 155 min/week). All AFFEXX domains measured at baseline were significantly correlated with PA at follow-up (r values ranging from 0.14 for energy-calmness to 0.38 for showing-off–shying away). Regression analysis indicated that attraction towards exercise significantly predicted follow-up PA (β= 5.9, p < 0.001). When examining the relationship between attraction and PA intensity, attraction significantly predicted vigorous PA (β= 51.1, p = 0.002), whereas its effect on moderate PA was not significant (β = 16.2, p = 0.11). Conclusion: These findings highlight the role of affective experiences from exercise in shaping future PA behaviors, particularly in relation to vigorous-intensity activities. Understanding children’s affective appraisals of exercise, their exercise environment, and their overall attraction to exercise may be crucial for promoting sustained PA engagement in youth. References 1. Brand, R.; Ekkekakis, P. Affective–Reflective Theory of Physical Inactivity and Exercise. Ger J Exerc Sport Res 2018
Read CV Tommaso PivaECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH18
Introduction The aspiration for a muscular physique has been a defining characteristic of modern fitness cultures, with bodybuilding serving as a prominent subculture centered on muscle maximisation.At the core of this community is the Drive for Muscularity (DFM),which functions as both a psychological and cultural construct.DFM reflects an individuals strong inclination to enhance muscularity in pursuit of a well-defined physique.This drive is intertwined with broader themes of masculinity,body image,personal identity, and the quest for social validation.The motivational underpinnings of DFM are multifaceted.While many individuals are driven by aspirations of self-improvement and increased self-confidence, additional influences may also play a role.Despite the increasing interest in understanding the motivations behind DFM, there is a notable paucity of research focusing on Filipino population.Integrating Self-Determination Theory (SDT) into the DFM construct provides a framework for examining the role of three fundamental psychological needs—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—in shaping individuals motivations and behaviors in their pursuit of muscularity. Methods:A total of 117 participants,conveniently sampled,participated in the present study.The age group ranged from 18-65,Filipino males (68.4%) and females (31.6%).The average age is 32.25 years (SD = 9.58).Participants were recruited from a local gym in Davao City,Philippines.The study received ethical approval from the Hungarian University of Sports Science.The Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) a 15 item instrument designed to assess the individuals’ attitudes and behaviour in relation to their pursuit of muscularity.A 6-point Likert scale ranging from (1) never to (6) always,with higher scores indicating a greater drive for muscularity.Two reasons for utilizing DFM:1)participant identification & 2)to evaluate the drive for muscularity of the target population and ensure generalizable results. The Motives for Physical Activity Measure Revised (MPAM- R),a 30-item questionnaire evaluates five motives for physical activity engagement.A 5-point Likert scale, where 1 represents “not true for me” and 5 signifies “very true for me”. Utilizing MPAM-R facilitates an understanding of the underlying reasons influencing physical activity engagement.Descriptive statistics was employed to analyze the key motivational factors for drive for muscularity. Results/concusions:Participants engage in an average of 1.92 hours of workout per week (SD = 0.89),and exhibit varying degrees of muscularity-oriented behaviors (M=3.55) and attitudes (M=2.75).High scores in interest/enjoyment(M=4.19),competence(M=4.20),appearance(M=4.08), and fitness(M=4.51) suggest positive perceptions in these areas, while social engagement (M=2.88) shows more variability.Grounded in SDT this research will further explore key motivational determinants such as personal goals, body image satisfaction and social media influence.
Read CV Janice JuabanECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH18
Introduction Ultra-cycling is defined by its extreme length and duration (over 24 hours), along with numerous variables that impact the outcome. Among these, psychological variables are thought to play an important role. The main aim of this study was to investigate 1) the relationship between self-efficacy before the race (SEpre) and performance, and 2) the effect of race performance on SE during an unsupported ultra-cycling event known for its iconic route of over 4000 km from Rovereto to North Cape. Method All 350 participants to the North Cape 4000 were asked to volunteer for this observational study which included the completion of a battery of questionnaires before and after the race. The questionnaires included the Endurance Sport Self-Efficacy Scale (Anstiss et al., 2018). A preliminary study found that the items of this scale are relevant to ultra-endurance. Additional questions included goal setting, training status and other variables. Performance was evaluated in three ways: race time; goal achievement (GA, reaching vs not reaching the personal goal); and finisher status (FS, finishing vs not finishing the race within the time limit of 21 days). Pearson analyses were conducted to evaluate the correlations between SEpre and SEpost minus SEpre (ΔSE) with race time. A logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between SEpre and GA. Two-way (GA x time; FS x time) repeated-measure ANOVAs were used to assess the change in SE between pre- and post-race, and the moderating effects of GA and FS. Significance was set at p < 0.05 for all analyses. Results The pre-race questionnaire was completed by 77 participants, with 63 (54 males, age 47±12 years) also completing the post-race one. The SE of the participants increased significantly after the race (SEpre 76 ± 11 vs SEpost 80 ± 10, p=0.001). The ΔSE was slightly higher among those who achieved their personal goal (n = 39, 5.7 ± 2.7) than those who did not (n = 24, 2.8 ± 0.9). However, the difference is not statistically significant (p=0.220). Similar results were found for the analysis with FS as the moderator (43 finishers, 20 not finishers). No significant correlations with race time were found for SEpre and for ΔSE. Logistic regression found no significant associations between SEpre and GA, and between SEpre and FS. Conclusions Contrary to our hypotheses, we found no associations between self-efficacy before the race and various performance measures. We also failed to find the expected moderating effects of GA and FS on the effect of participating in the race on SE. The significant increase in SE among the participants who took part in the North Cape 4000 suggests that simply participating in this challenging event provides a mastery experience sufficient to increase SE. Anstiss, P. A., Meijen, C., Madigan, D. J., & Marcora, S. M. (2018). Development and initial validation of the Endurance Sport Self-Efficacy Scale (ESSES). Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 38, 176–183.
Read CV Vanessa GolinelliECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH18