Physical activity leisure time motives and their relation to meeting the recommendations

Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe the motives for Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) in Madrid adults; analyse their association to gender and age, and with the possibility of meeting the physical activity recommendations. A cross-sectional study from 1500 subjects living in Madrid (age: 15-74 years). LTPA was assessed using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (version 2), and practice motives using the Spanish version of the Motives for Physical Activity Measure-Revised scale. Motives for LTPA were reported in the following order: fitness (6.19±.87), enjoyment (5.67±1.05), competence (4.84±1.31), social (4.81±1.70) and appearance (4.63±1.52). Conceding a high relevance to the motives of fitness or com competence was associated to a higher possibility of meeting the recommendations (OR=1.69 y OR=1.83, respectively). Based in the studied sample, health is the main important motive for LTPA practice. Followed by enjoyment, competence, social relations and appearance. Women concede a higher importance to health and appearance than men. The importance of health motive increase with the age, while the competence, social and appearance motives have the opposite tendency. The possibility of meeting the PA recommendations is higher when a higher importance to health or competence is conceded.