Background/Purpose High-intensity exercise programs are increasing in popularity, which runs in contrast to the accepted practice of prescribing low-to-moderate intensity programs in order to make exercise more approachable and increase adherence. The purpose of the present study was to use self-determination theory to examine the motivational underpinnings of high-intensity work-out program participation.
Method Individuals (n=322) who reported participating in the CrossFit (CF) exercise program completed the Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire (GCEQ), Basic Needs Satisfaction at Work (BNSW) Scale, Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ), and a survey of exercise behaviors that included items that assessed duration of CF participation, membership in a CF facility, how many days per week they do CF, dietary habits, and whether they have participated in formal CF competitions.
Analysis/Results Results were analyzed using multiple regression and structural equation modeling techniques. Intrinsic goal contents were found to positively predict autonomous motivation for exercise. Competence and autonomy psychological need satisfaction were found to partially mediate this relationship. Intrinsic goal contents, competence need satisfaction, and intrinsic motivation were all found to directly predict self-reported exercise frequency.
Conclusions The findings are consistent with the tenets of self-determination theory in that more intrinsic goals, greater psychological need satisfaction, and more autonomous motivation were associated with higher frequency of exercise. High intensity exercise programs may produce enhanced exercise motivation through satisfaction of the basic psychological need for competence, in particular. Specific facets of these programs that lead to greater feelings of competence amongst participants are discussed.