REGISTRO DOI: 10.69849/revistaft/cl10202503211722
Isaac de Sousa Lourenço1,2
Elis Cabral Victor2
Narjara Margarida Teixeira de Freitas1
Débora Ferreira Moraes Guimarães1
Sergio Augusto Rosa de Souza1
Marlon Lemos de Araújo3
Francisco Navarro1
Antonio Coppi Navarro1,4
Abstract
Introduction: Motivation is influenced by the interaction between an individual’s life history and their current state, and it is essential for engaging in physical activities. Factors such as health, pleasure, sociability, and aesthetics play an important role, varying by age, gender, and context. Objective: To identify the motivational factors for regular physical activity among students in the 6th to 9th grades and high school in the municipalities of Anapurus, Brejo, and Buriti, Maranhão. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with 851 students (mean age 14.8 years), using the Inventory of Motivation for Regular Physical Activity (IMPRAFE-132), consisting of 132 items assessing six motivational dimensions. Data were collected between February and December 2023. Results: The main motivational factors were pleasure (M=83.10, SD=13.30) and health (M=82.90, SD=13.40). Stress control also stood out (M=80.80, SD=14.60), while sociability and competitiveness had lower means. Aesthetics was relevant but not decisive (M=79.30, SD=13.80). Discussion: Students’ motivation was strongly associated with pleasure and health. Stress control was also significant, while factors such as sociability and aesthetics had less impact. Conclusion: Motivation for physical activity in students is primarily linked to pleasure and health, with implications for programs that encourage these aspects and promote stress control.
Keywords: Physical Activity, Students, Motivation.
Resumo
Introdução: A motivação é influenciada pela interação entre a história de vida e o estado atual de um indivíduo, sendo essencial para a prática de atividades físicas. Fatores como saúde, prazer, sociabilidade e estética desempenham um papel importante, variando conforme idade, gênero e contexto. Objetivo: Identificar os fatores motivacionais para a prática regular de atividades físicas entre escolares do Ensino Fundamental II e Ensino Médio nos municípios de Anapurus, Brejo e Buriti, Maranhão, Brasil. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo transversal com 851 escolares (média de 14,8 anos), utilizando o Inventário de Motivação para a Prática Regular de Atividades Físicas (IMPRAFE-132), composto por 132 questões, avaliando seis dimensões motivacionais. Estatística descritiva. Resultados: Os principais fatores motivacionais foram prazer (M=83,10, DP=13,30) e saúde (M=82,90, DP=13,40). O controle do estresse também se destacou (M=80,80, DP=14,60), enquanto sociabilidade e competitividade apresentaram médias menores. A estética foi relevante, mas não determinante (M=79,30, DP=13,80). Discussão: A motivação dos escolares esteve fortemente associada ao prazer e à saúde. O controle do estresse também foi significativo, enquanto fatores como sociabilidade e estética mostraram-se menos impactantes. Conclusão: A motivação para a prática de atividades físicas nos escolares está principalmente ligada ao prazer e à saúde, com implicações para programas que incentivem esses aspectos e promovam o controle do estresse.
Palavras-chave: Atividade Física, Escolares, Motivação.
INTRODUCTION:
Motivation can be understood as the result of the interaction between past experiences and an individual’s current state, influencing their direction toward achieving a goal. In general, motivated behaviors are goal-oriented, with their achievement being rewarding, making motivation a fundamental characteristic of any intentional behavior (Simpson & Balsam, 2015).
Regarding motivation for physical activity, Lourenço and Navarro (2023) highlight that various motivational factors affect adherence to and continuity in exercise practice, such as health, pleasure, sociability, and competitiveness, among others. Additionally, intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as socioeconomic conditions, also impact this process. These factors may vary according to age, gender, and context.
Thus, each person has different reasons and desires for starting and maintaining physical activity. Motivation for regular exercise results from a complex interaction between psychological, social, environmental, and genetic factors (Nahas, 2006).
According to Paim (2001), motivation for sports and physical activities is widely recognized for its relevance in determining the intensity, direction, and duration of exercise. Motivation not only influences physical activity but also impacts the completion of daily tasks, improving organization and promoting health benefits (Leite et al., 2016).
To understand the reasons that lead people to engage in regular physical activity, several researchers have developed scales to measure motivation for physical or sports activities. Among these scales, the IMPRAFE-132 (Inventory of Motivation for Physical or Sports Activities), developed by Balbinotti (2010), stands out.
Therefore, the present study aims to identify the motivational factors that influence the regular practice of physical activity among middle and high school students regularly enrolled in schools in the municipalities of Anapurus, Brejo, and Buriti, Maranhão, Brazil.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
The present study is characterized as a cross-sectional study (Thomas, Nelson, & Silverman, 2012).
The study was conducted in the municipalities of Anapurus, Brejo, and Buriti, Maranhão, Brazil, with students regularly enrolled in middle and high school at the following institutions: Isidorio Pires Monteles School, located in the São Lourenço neighborhood; Nadir Monteles Cruz School, located in the Santo Antônio neighborhood; Colégio Militar Tiradentes, located in the Aeroporto neighborhood; Reino do Saber School, located in the Turi neighborhood; Thaynara Sousa Cabral Teaching Center; Deputy Júlio Pires Monteles Teaching Center; and Educa Mais Vicente Garreto de Vasconselos Teaching Center, all located in downtown Anapurus, Maranhão, Brazil.
Additionally, students from Unidade Integrada Prefeito Elias School and Candido Mendes Teaching Center, both located in the Palestina neighborhood in the municipality of Brejo, Maranhão, Brazil, as well as middle school students from Antônio Pedreiro School in the Quebra Coco neighborhood in the municipality of Buriti, Maranhão, Brazil, participated in the study.
A total of 851 students participated, with middle school students having a mean age of 13.6 ± 1.16 years and high school students having a mean age of 16.9 ± 1.86 years. The sample selection considered predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Students present at school on the day of data collection who met the selection criteria were included in the study, provided they had parental or legal guardian authorization and signed the Informed Assent Form (TALE).
Students were excluded if they were not present at school on the day of data collection, were not literate, did not have parental or guardian permission to participate, did not complete the questionnaires, or completed the questionnaires but did not attend the anthropometric evaluation.
The study population consisted of 1,610 students regularly enrolled in the participating schools. Of these, 759 students did not meet the inclusion criteria and were therefore excluded from the study.
A convenience sampling method was used. To determine the required sample size, a finite population sampling formula was applied, considering a total population of 1,610 students, a 5% margin of error, a 95% confidence level, and an estimated proportion of 50% (p=0.5). The calculation indicated a minimum required sample of 311 students. However, the study included a final sample of 851 students, which strengthened the analysis and provided greater robustness to the results obtained.
To assess motivational factors, the Inventory of Motivation for Regular Physical and Sports Activity (IMPRAFE-132) by Balbinotti (2010) was used. This inventory consists of 132 questions organized into 22 blocks, each addressing six distinct dimensions. The primary objective of the IMPRAFE-132 is to measure motivation levels concerning six specific dimensions: stress control, health, sociability, competitiveness, aesthetics, and pleasure.
The study followed the guidelines of Resolution 466/12 of the National Health Council of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. It was submitted via Plataforma Brasil to the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão, approved under CAAE 15948719.2.0000.5086, with opinion number 3.443.502.
Thus, the present study was conducted between February 2023 and December 2023. Initially, the project was presented at the participating schools, where data collection methodologies were explained. After the presentation, the informed assent form was distributed to students and their guardians for signature collection. At the same time, the data collection period was scheduled. The questionnaires were administered on paper at the schools, and participating students present during the study responded to the questions.
For data analysis, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test and descriptive statistical techniques such as mean, standard deviation, minimum value, maximum value, and percentage were used.
RESULTS:
The sample consisted of 851 students, with a mean age of 14.8 years and a standard deviation of 2.17, all regularly enrolled in middle and high school in the municipalities of Brejo, Anapurus, and Buriti.
Table 1 presents a general description of the students, distinguishing the number of participants from each municipality.
Table 1 – General description of the students.
Legend: % = Percentage
Table 2 presents the general description of the sample’s motivational factors.
Table 2 – Description of the sample’s motivational factors.
Legend: SD = Standard Deviation; CDE = Stress Control
DISCUSSION:
This study investigated the motivational factors for physical activity among students from the municipalities of Anapurus, Brejo, and Buriti, in Maranhão, totaling a sample of 851 students. The sample had a mean age of 14.8 years (± 2.17), including both middle and high school students.
The distribution of students revealed a higher representation from Anapurus (72.49%), followed by Brejo (24.82%) and Buriti (2.69%). These data indicate an unequal participation among the municipalities, which may reflect differences in local conditions for engaging in physical activity, such as infrastructure, school sports programs, and sports culture.
Regarding motivational factors, pleasure (M = 83.10, SD = 13.30) and health (M = 82.90, SD = 13.40) were the most relevant aspects for the students. This highlights pleasure as one of the primary motivational drivers for engaging in physical activity among adolescents. From a health perspective, the results suggest that students already recognize the positive relationship between exercise and well-being.
Motivation is considered an important factor that influences physical activity participation, both in and outside school, particularly during critical developmental years in children and adolescents. This is a period of physical, psychological, and social changes, and participation in physical activities plays a crucial role in overall health (Santos et al., 2016). The results showed that the most significant factors for young individuals were pleasure and health in relation to physical activity. Similarly, Santos et al. (2016) supported this perspective and concluded that the main reason children and adolescents engage in school sports is to make friends in a healthy way and have fun. Additionally, Simões Neto and Oliveira (2020) investigated the main factors encouraging students to participate in sports, identifying health, physical activity, entertainment, and social skills as the top choices among respondents.
The stress control factor (M = 80.80, SD = 14.60) also presented high values, indicating that students may be using physical activity as a means of coping with psychological demands. This phenomenon was observed in studies such as that of Oliveira et al. (2024), which identified physical activity as both a treatment and protective factor against symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescents.
On the other hand, factors such as sociability (M = 78.00, SD = 15.00) and competitiveness (M = 78.60, SD = 15.10) showed slightly lower averages. This may indicate that, for this population, social interaction and competition are not the primary motivators for sports participation.
The aesthetic factor (M = 79.30, SD = 13.80) also presented intermediate values, which aligns with research such as that of Fantineli et al. (2020) and Santos et al. (2014), indicating that concern with body appearance may be a relevant but not determinant factor in adolescent physical activity participation.
Thus, the results suggest that students in this sample are primarily motivated by pleasure and health, reinforcing the importance of programs that encourage physical activity by prioritizing fun and well-being. Additionally, strategies that consider stress control as a motivational factor may be useful in formulating youth-oriented public policies.
Future studies could investigate motivational differences based on gender and age, as well as explore the relationship between motivational factors and students’ physical activity levels.
CONCLUSION:
The results of this study highlight that the main motivational factors for engaging in physical activity among the investigated students were pleasure and health, emphasizing the importance of programs that encourage physical activity in an enjoyable and beneficial way for well-being. Additionally, stress control also emerged as a relevant aspect, suggesting that many young individuals use exercise as a means to relieve psychological tension.
Factors such as sociability, competitiveness, and aesthetics showed slightly lower averages, indicating that, while they have some influence, they are not the primary determinants of students’ participation in physical activities. The unequal distribution of participants among the analyzed municipalities suggests possible structural and cultural differences that may impact young people’s engagement with sports and physical exercise.
Given these findings, there is a need for public policies and educational strategies that promote physical activity as an enjoyable and health-beneficial experience, while also reinforcing its importance in emotional regulation among adolescents. Future research could further explore motivational differences between genders and age groups, as well as examine the relationship between motivation and physical activity levels, contributing to the development of more effective interventions in the school context.
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Santos, J.F.S.; Oliveira, P.D. Campos, A.A.; Pereira, E.D.O.; Sousa, E.A.D.; relação entre insatisfação corporal e atividade física em adolescentes da zona urbana de Irati-PR. Revista de Educação Física/UEM. Vol. 25. Núm. 2. p. 192-201. 2014.
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1Graduate Program, Master’s in Physical Education, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
2FAP, Faculty of Baixo Parnaíba, Chapadinha, Maranhão, Brazil.
3CIFI2D, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Portugal.
4IESF, Institute of Higher Education Franciscano, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
Authors’ email:
isaac_lourencoedf@hotmail.com
elis.cvictor@gmail.com
margahnmtf@gmail.com
deboraguimaraesfm@gmail.com
sergio.souza@ufma.br
marlon.lemos.araujo@gmail.com
francisco.navarro@ufma.br
ac-navarro@uol.com.br
Corresponding author:
Isaac de Sousa Lourenço
isaac_lourencoedf@hotmail.com
Avenida Manoel Canuto, No. 02,
Palestina, Brejo, Maranhão.
ZIP Code: 65520-000
AUTHORS’ ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9620-8031
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1030-4089
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5826-6324
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1790-0215
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2633-9654
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6861-7005
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8475-4285
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8113-4489