Self-determination theory in motivation to adopt physical activity in older adults

505 Pages·2017·1.39 MB·English

EEddiitthh CCoowwaann UUnniivveerrssiittyy
RReesseeaarrcchh OOnnlliinnee
Theses: Doctorates and Masters Theses
1-1-2009
SSeellff--ddeetteerrmmiinnaattiioonn tthheeoorryy iinn mmoottiivvaattiioonn ttoo aaddoopptt pphhyyssiiccaall aaccttiivviittyy
iinn oollddeerr aadduullttss:: AA ccoommmmuunniittyy bbaasseedd aapppprrooaacchh
Alastair Stewart
Edith Cowan University
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Part of the Public Health Commons, and the Sports Sciences Commons
RReeccoommmmeennddeedd CCiittaattiioonn
Stewart, A. (2009). Self-determination theory in motivation to adopt physical activity in older adults: A
community based approach. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/164
This Thesis is posted at Research Online.
https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/164
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SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY IN MOTIVATION TO ADOPT
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER ADULTS: A COMMUNITY BASED
APPROACH
Alastair Stewart
Bachelor of Science (Sports Science) Honours
This thesis is presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor
of Philosophy (Sports Science)
Faculty of Computing, Health, and Science
Edith Cowan University
March 2009

USE OF THESIS

The Use of Thesis statement is not included in this version of the thesis.
ABSTRACT
Australia has an increasingly aging population with increasing levels of physical
inactivity. The potential detrimental effects of these two factors on the health of the
community highlight the need to investigate methods to increase physical activity in
older Australian adults. The study reported in this thesis formed part of the PATH
(Physical Activity Time for Health) Project, a community-based research trial that
compared two strategies to increase physical activity in underactive, 60-80 year old men
(n = 66) and women (n = 188). Twelve recreation centres were randomised to either a
supervised group based walking intervention with behavioural change components, or a
self-managed/usual care intervention. Participants in behavioural intervention centres
were asked to complete 150mins/week of moderate intensity physical activity as a
supervised walking program, organised as 3 sessions/week for the first 3-months and
then 1 supervised and 2 unsupervised walk sessions/week for the second 3-months.
Participants in self-managed centres were asked to complete 3 sessions of moderate
intensity physical activity (150mins/week) for 6 months.
In this thesis I have investigated the efficacy of Self-Determination Theory
(SDT; Deci, 1980) to explain motivation of older adults to adopt physical activity.
There were three sub-purposes. First, to determine the effect of the behavioural
intervention compared with the self-managed approach on psychosocial, physiological,
and physical activity outcomes. Second, to investigate the contributions of psychosocial
predictors to adherence and physical activity level across the self-managed and
behavioural intervention strategies. Third, to estimate the directional relationships
between self-determination constructs and adherence using path analysis. The physical
activity outcomes measured in this study were retention, adherence and total physical
activity level. Retention was defined as the number of participants in the study after 6
months. Adherence was defined as the number of exercise sessions completed over the
6 months. Total physical activity level was measured using the Physical Activity Scale
for the Elderly (PASE; Washburn, Smith Jette, & Janney, 1993).
At baseline the behavioural intervention program had 138 participants,
compared to 116 participants in the self-managed condition. After 6 months the
behavioural intervention program had retained 84% of these participants, compared to
67% in the self-managed condition. With respect to adherence there was no significant
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difference between participants in the behavioural intervention compared to those in the
self-managed condition (67.7% and 59% of sessions, respectively). The total physical
activity level (related closely to the adherence score) also did not differ between
conditions (114.69 and 115.87 for the behavioural intervention and self-managed
groups, respectively).
The major and novel finding of this study was that social connectedness was a
significant factor in the engagement of older adults in physical activity. This was
evidenced by the increases in social connectedness in the behavioural intervention
group, compared to decreases in social connectedness reported in the self-managed
group. Furthermore, structural equation modelling demonstrated that social
connectedness, compared to physical self-perceptions and autonomy, was the only
significant predictor of adherence.
This study also found that self-perceptions outside the physical domain can have
as important a role in exercise behaviour as physical self-perceptions. Structural
equation modelling provided further support for this proposition showing adherence
was more strongly related to social self-perceptions than physical or cognitive self-
perceptions after the intervention. Also, lower perceptions of physical appearance and
higher perceptions of nurturance were associated with higher total physical activity
levels at 6-months
This study confirms previous research and contributes novel findings
demonstrating the importance of social connectedness in physical activity behaviour in
older adults. Further it provides strong evidence for the ability of physical activity to
influence multiple aspects of the lives of older adults. These findings have implications
for health practitioners and development of policy and programs to increase physical
activity. Employing Self-Determination Theory has further elucidated motivation for
exercise in older adults and provided novel findings to support inclusion of socially
based components into physical activity promotion campaigns for older adults.
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DECLARATION
I certify that this thesis does not, to the best of my knowledge and belief:
(i) incorporate without acknowledgment any material previously submitted for a
degree or diploma in any institution of higher education.
(ii) contain any material previously published or written by another person except
where due reference is made in the text; or
(iii) contain any defamatory material.
I also grant permission for the Library at Edith Cowan University to make duplicate
copies of my thesis as required.

Signature: …………………………………….
Date: ……………………………..

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Undertakings of this nature are not done alone. I would first like to thank my
supervisors Dr. Elizabeth Rose and Dr. Kay Cox for their dedication and effort (no
more quick questions, I promise). I would also like to thank Dr. Val Burke and
Associate Professor Sybe Jongeling for their statistical assistance. It was greatly
appreciated. Special thanks to Professor Ian Puddey and Professor Laurie Beilin for
providing advice in the early stages and their ongoing encouragement. My thanks to the
other Chief Investigators of the PATH Project, Dr. Robert Donovan and Professor Bob
Grove. Also thank you to Dr. Kuki Singh for her assistance in the final write up. My
gratitude extends to my scholarship providers Healthway and the Grand Lodge of West
Australian Freemasons, also to the sponsors of the PATH Project (Healthway, Police
and Nurses Credit Society, and The Water Corporation).
To the many participants, mentors, recreation centres and local governments
involved in this study, thank you for giving freely of your time. Without these people
this study would not have been possible. To the PATH Project research assistants and
volunteers Tammy, Jacqui, Joanne, Eddie, Ruth, Joan, and Chipper, your effort was
much appreciated. Special thanks to all the staff on level 3 at the MRF, and ECU
School of Exercise, Biomedical, and Health Sciences. To my fellow students Messi,
Mike, Wai, Sandy, Kerry, Noel, Jason, Doris, Gerard and Denise, thank you all for the
encouragement and advice. Special thanks to Bharat Nepal and Peter Rampellini for
making me feel welcome in my new workplaces.
For their past, present and future support I would like to thank my parents Ruth
and Alan Stewart and my brothers, Geoff, Al and Mikey. Extra special thanks goes to
Nan Jean and Nan Cath and all of my extended family for their encouragement. Finally,
I would like to thank my fiancé Kym for her uplifting love and encouragement.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages
ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................. ii
LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................... xiii
LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................. xxviii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................... 1
Background ................................................................................................... 1
Purpose and Hypotheses ............................................................................... 9
First Purpose and Hypotheses ........................................................... 9
Second Purpose and Hypotheses ....................................................... 10
Third Purpose and Structural Equation Models ................................ 11
Definition of Terms ....................................................................................... 12
Limitations .................................................................................................... 19
Delimitations ................................................................................................. 19
Significance ................................................................................................... 20
Original Contribution .................................................................................... 21

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ..................................................... 23
Introduction ................................................................................................... 23
Human Behaviour and Physical Activity ...................................................... 25
Psychosocial Theories and Models in Physical Activity .............................. 27
Review of Psychosocial Theories in Randomised
Controlled Physical Activity Trials................................................... 28
Self-Determination Theory ........................................................................... 42
Cognitive Evaluation Theory (CET) ................................................. 45
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