The motivational function of goals in physical activity: a cross-cultural comparison

TL;DR

This study compares how men and women from seven countries are motivated by different goals in physical activity, revealing gender and cultural differences.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into cross-cultural and gender-based differences in the motivational functions of physical activity goals.

Findings

Gender and country significantly influence the dominant motivational functions of physical activity.

Males in Romania rated the goal of having a fit and shapely body significantly lower than females.

Females from Poland showed notable differences in valuing confidence and social appreciation goals compared to those from Egypt and Iran.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to show the differences in the dominant motivational function of physical activity (PA) between women and men from Poland (PL), China (CN), Iran (IR), Kazakhstan (KZ), Egypt (EG), Romania (RO), and Italy (IT).

A total of 6,195 participants (females = 3,376 and males = 2,819) aged 18–88 years (M = 28.5, SD = 12.74), residing in the seven countries, were analyzed for the purpose of this study. Twelve goal types were distinguished by the Inventory of Physical Activity Objectives (IPAO) tool were used in the study.

The analysis results indicated the significant main effects of gender and country. The three-way interaction between gender, type of goal, and country was significant, indicative that the largest differences in the rating of the goals’ importance between males and females occurred in evaluating objective 4 (fit, shapely body) in RO. Males in RO assessed this goal significantly lower than females. Among females, one of the largest differences occurred in the evaluation of the importance of objective 7 (boosting confidence, gaining appreciation from others) between PL and EG, as well as PL and IR.

Understanding the motives behind PA and gender differences is crucial for developing effective health interventions and future cross-cultural research. The results of the study can be used in marketing by tailoring the content of the message to the audience. In schools, understanding the motives for physical activity will allow the curriculum to be adapted and thus increase student engagement in exercise. Understanding the profile of the exercise participant by the instructor will allow their needs to be effectively met and will positively correlate with persistence in activity.