MONTENEGRIN JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCE AND MEDICINE, vol.7, no.1, pp.45-51, 2018 (ESCI)
This study applied the self-determination theory to examine the perceived autonomy support and basic psychological needs of women participating in a health-related exercise programme with respect to exercise stage of change (three stages including Preparation, Action, and Maintenance) and exercise type (Aerobic vs Strength & Flexibility). The sample consisted of 316 women (M age=25.1 years, SD=7.2) who completed the Perceived Autonomy Support Scale for Exercise Settings: Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale and the Physical Activity Stages of Change Questionnaire. Participants' heart rate during the exercise and the exercise content were used to categorize the exercise classes as Aerobic or Strength & Flexibility. Data were analysed using ANOVA and MANOVA (p<.05). The findings indicated that participants perceived autonomy support differed according to exercise type (F (1,315)=6.44, p<.05, eta(2) =.02). Moreover, participants' basic psychological needs differed according to both exercise stage of change (F (3,311)=3.97, p<.05, eta(2) =. 04) and exercise type (F (3,312)=5.63, p<.05, eta(2) =. 05). To address the needs of worksite health-related exercise programme participants, programme providers and instructors should further consider exercise stages of change and participants' preferred type of exercise.