University students exercise behavioral regulation, motives, and physical fitness.

This study examined relationships between exercise motives, exercise behavioral regulations, and physical fitness in college students. It was hypothesized that more intrinsic motives and more self-determined regulations would be associated with better fitness. Exercise motives of students participating in physical activity classes (N = 194) were assessed using the Motives for Physical Activity Measure-Revised (MPAM-R) and behavioral regulations were assessed with the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire 2 (BREQ-2). Aerobic fitness was assessed using the PACER run test, and body composition was assessed using hand-held, bio-electric impedance analyzers. MPAM-R and BREQ-2 subscales were regressed onto the two fitness measures. For the MPAM-R, stronger competence and fitness motives predicted better fitness and stronger appearance motives predicted worse fitness. For the BREQ-2, higher intrinsic motivation predicted better aerobic fitness, and stronger, introjected regulation predicted higher body fat composition. These findings have implications for fitness professionals and physical educators.