Qualitative investigation of personal factors affecting the students’ physical activity (needs and motivations): Based on self-determination theory

Abstract

A large number of students do not exercise their recommended daily physical activities to achieve the health benefits related to the physical activity. Self-determination theory can provide a framework for investigating the students’ motivational processes in physical activity. Therefore, this study was conducted aiming at identifying the personal factors (needs and motivational factors) affecting the physical activity of students of Medical Sciences University of Iran on the basis of self-determination theory. The method is a qualitative research of content analysis type conducted by a deductive approach. Participants included a wide range of Iranian experts in the field of physical activity as well as the University students and the theoretical saturation was achieved by conducting 21 interviews personally with experts and 2 focus groups with students. Samples were selected by snowball sampling method and students by simple random sampling method, then divided into the focus groups. Interviews were collected in semi-structured form by enjoying the theory constructs. While collecting, data were simultaneously analysed manually. Findings reflected the identified themes of SDT levels and with regards to the remarks given by participants on reviewing the needs and motivations affecting the students’ physical activity, 11 main categories were elucidated; i.e. pleasurable social interactions, physical and anatomic capabilities, successful history of physical activity, understanding the self-efficacy, choice limiting and predisposing features, gaining pleasure, improved status of physical and mental status, social cognition, financial reward and perceived personal barriers, and also 35 subcategories were also identified as below, which were incorporated on the main levels of self-determination theory. Hence, the self-determination theory can be applied as an appropriate framework for investigating the motivational levels and facilitating the students’ physical activity to plan and implement the proper general interventions.