The impact of physical activity on students' happiness in the context of positive and negative motivation

Background and Study Aim. This study investigated whether the physical activity and the type of motivation among students inactive in professional sport can enhance their life satisfaction.Material and Methods. An experimental study was conducted with the participation of 164 students (not athletes) aged 24,52±4.  In the experimental groups participants engaged in physical activity which they performed at their leisure 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes for 6 weeks. Additionally, the students were motivated to be active in a positive way (focus on benefits), in a negative way (focus on avoiding losses) or were not motivated at all. The experiment was based on a mixed group plan - with the initial and final measurement of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS).  Results. The results confirm that involvement in regular sport brings benefits in terms of improving psychological well-being. The type of motivation proved to determine the influence of the practiced sport on life satisfaction. Students who were negatively motivated achieved a positive change but in terms of the level of negative affect it was lower than in the other groups. On the other hand, positively motivated students achieved the greatest change in terms of positive and negative emotions. However, there was no increase in the level of subjective well-being in these subjects. The greatest psychological benefits of sports activity were achieved by the subjects who were focused only on being active without additional motivation. There were no changes in the analyzed variables in the control group.Conclusions. This data may contribute to promoting undertaking leisure activities that will actually increase life satisfaction of young adults.