Exercise Dependence and Body Image Concerns Amongst Group Fitness Instructors: A Self-Determination Theory Approach

Frontiers in Psychology

Psychology

Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen¹  Solfrid Bratland-Sanda²  Michael S. Reinboth² 

[1] Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway;Department of Sports, Physical Education and Outdoor Studies, University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway;

关键词: group fitness instructors;    motivational regulations;    exercise dependence;    physical activity;    body image concerns;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2021.816287

 received in 2021-11-16, accepted in 2021-12-23,  发布年份 2022

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

IntroductionDespite the fact that group fitness instructors serve as significant role models with potentially great impact on class participants' motivation for exercise, they are a very under-researched group. The aim of this study was therefore to examine group fitness instructors' motivational regulations for exercise, and how these motivational regulations can predict symptoms of exercise dependence and body image concerns.MethodsGroup fitness instructors from the largest fitness companies in Norway (n = 837, response rate: 57%) completed an online survey with reference to the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS), the Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS), the Eating Disorders Inventory subscales drive for thinness (EDI-DT) and body dissatisfaction (EDI-BD), and their weekly amount of exercise and instruction.ResultsThe instructors scored high on identified regulation and intrinsic regulation for exercise. EDS total score was positively correlated with all SIMS subscales and weekly instruction was positively correlated with Intrinsic regulation. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses found that both self-determined motivational regulations as well as external regulation positively predicted their EDS score. External regulation positively predicted EDI-DT, and EDI-BD.ConclusionGroup fitness instructors seem highly intrinsically motivated for exercise, which is hypothesized to have a positive impact on group fitness class participants. High self-determined exercise behavior does not seem to buffer against symptoms of exercise dependence within this specific population. There is a need for awareness of group fitness instructors who show high exercise dependency scores due to the link to body image concerns, amotivation and external regulated motivation.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2022 Reinboth, Sundgot-Borgen and Bratland-Sanda.