Exploring Motivations for Physical Activity and Exercise.
What motivates you and other students to be involved in sport and physical activities? If you evaluate a group of students, you will likely discover a diverse array of reasons to participate—or not participate.
1. First, determine your own motivations.
· Do you participate in sport and physical activities now? Look at the list of reasons for persisting in sport participation in the “Persistence” section of chapter 13. Write down those reasons that apply to you and add any others not included in the list.
· Have you dropped out of a physical activity? Look at the list of reasons for dropping out of a sport in the “Dropping Out” section of chapter 13. Do any of the reasons listed apply to you?
· Have you persisted in some activities and dropped out of others? What factors are related to these choices?
2. Compare your notes from #1 above with a group of other students.
· What are the factors most commonly associated with persistence?
· What are the factors most commonly associated with dropping out?
· Calculate percentages for easy interpretation (e.g., “Seventy percent of my group dropped out because of lack of time”).
· Reflect on these factors and offer some generalizations about motivational factors and the students in your class.