MOTIVES AND OBSTACLES TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

The purpose of the research is to determine the characteristics of the motivation for physical activity of students studying at various universities in Russia, and the obstacles to regular physical exercise.

Methods and organization of the research. 648 students from three Russian universities took part in the survey. Motivation for physical activity was assessed using the EMI-2 questionnaire (The Exercise Motivations Inventory), developed by D. Markland and D. Ingledew (1997). Barriers to regular physical exercise were determined using the «Barriers to Activity» questionnaire.

Research results and discussion. The main motives for physical activity among students at the universities under study are: positive health, energy, strength and endurance. Students from three universities cite four main obstacles to physical exercise (sports): lack of time, lack of energy, lack of willpower and lack of material resources. The least common reason for low physical activity is fear of injury. We identified intergroup and intragroup (gender) differences in motives for physical activity and barriers to physical activity.

Conclusion. When developing a program to attract university students to various forms of physical activity, it is necessary to consider the motives for physical activity and put forward realistic proposals to overcome the identified barriers to physical activity.

• Zotova, F. R., Fayzullin, I. F. Student sports in the region: state, problems and prospects // Science and sport: current trends. – 2015. – Vol. 6. – No. 1. – pp. 32-38.
• Yusupov, Sh. R., Pokrovskaya, T. Yu., Krupennikova, D. E. The use of information technologies in the educational process in the field of physical culture and sports // Science and sport: current trends. – 2022. – Vol. 10. – No. 3. – pp. 116-123.
• Yusupov, Sh. R., Yakupov, B. I., Yusupov, R. A. Satisfaction of university students with physical education and sports. Alternative methods of sociological research (using the example of metamorphic methods) // Science and sport: current trends. – 2020. – Vol. 27. – No. 2. – pp. 137-141.
• Bebeley S. J., Wu Y., Liu Y. Motives for physical activity for college students’ level of motivation in physical activity //International Journal of Science and Research. – 2017. – Vol. 6. – №. 5. – pp. 2377-2382.
• Egli T. et al. Influence of age, sex, and race on college students’ exercise motivation of physical activity //Journal of American college health. – 2011. – Vol. 59. – №. 5. – pp. 399-406.
• I Sáez I., Solabarrieta J., Rubio I. Motivation for physical activity in university students and its relation with gender, amount of activities, and sport satisfaction //Sustainability. – 2021. – Vol. 13. – №. 6. – pp. 3183.
• Kilpatrick, M.; Hebert, E.; Bartholomew, J. College students’ motivation for physical activity: Differentiating men’s and women’s motives for sport participation and exercise. J. Am. Coll. Health 2005, 54, 87–94.
• Kulavic K., Hultquist C. N., McLester J. R. A comparison of motivational factors and barriers to physical activity among traditional versus nontraditional college students //Journal of American College Health. – 2013. – Vol. 61. – №. 2. – pp. 60-66.
• Lonsdale C. et al. Self-determined motivation and students' physical activity during structured physical education lessons and free choice periods //Preventive medicine. – 2009. – Vol. 48. – №. 1. – pp. 69-73.
• Madonia J. S., Cox A. E., Zahl M. L. The role of high school physical activity experience in college students’ physical activity motivation //International journal of exercise science. – 2014. – Vol. 7. – №. 2. – pp. 1.
• Markland D., Hardy L. The Exercise Motivations Inventory: Preliminary development and validity of a measure of individuals' reasons for participation in regular physical exercise //Personality and individual Differences. – 1993. – Vol. 15. – №. 3. – pp. 289-296.
• Markland D., Ingledew D. K. The measurement of exercise motives: Factorial validity and invariance across gender of a revised Exercise Motivations Inventory //British Journal of Health Psychology. – 1997. – Vol. 2. – №. 4. – pp. 361-376.
• Mehmeti I., Halilaj B. How to Increase Motivation for Physical Activity among Youth //Sport Mont. – 2018.– Vol. 16. – №. 1.
• Palmer K. et al. Adolescent autonomous motivation for physical activity: A concept analysis //Journal of Pediatric Nursing. – 2020. – Vol. 54.– pp. e36-e46.
• Romaguera D. et al. Determinants and patterns of physical activity practice among Spanish university students //Journal of sports sciences. – 2011. – Vol. 29. – №. 9. – pp. 989-997.
• Sevil J. et al. Motivation and physical activity: Differences between high school and university students in Spain //Perceptual and motor skills. – 2018. – Vol. 125. – №. 5. – pp. 894-907.
• Shen B. Outsideschool physical activity participation and motivation in physical education //British Journal of Educational Psychology. – 2014. – Vol. 84. – №. 1. – pp. 40-57.