Students' self-determined motivation in physical education and intention to be physically active after graduation : the role of perceived competence and identity

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined whether high school students' degree of self-determined motivation in school physical education predicted their intentions to be physically active after graduation, and whether perceived physical competence and physical activity identity mediated this hypothesized cross-sectional relationship. Additionally, the possibility of conditional effects of gender on these associations was considered. Method: A cross sectional study involving 1650 high-school students allowed for the examination of indirect effects using a bias-corrected bootstrapping technique. Results: Results showed that self-determination in PE may positively affect adolescents' intentions to be physically active after graduation, both independently and through the strengthening of students' physical activity identity and perceived physical competence. Moderation analysis identified that the indirect effect of perceived competence on the adolescents' physical activity intentions was only significant in boys. Identity however, was a significant mediator of physical activity intention in both genders. Conclusions: School interventions aiming to improve adolescents' physical activity intentions might take advantage of increasing adolescents' physical activity identities as well as perceived physical competence.