Physical Activity among University Students: Comparative Analysis of Motivation in Ecuador and Spain
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15359/mhs.22-2.20885Keywords:
Motives, physical activity, university students, Ecuador, Spain.Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between the motives for physical activity according to the sex of Ecuadorian and Spanish university students and to analyze the existing differences according to sex and country. The sample consisted of 1776 students from different public university centers in Ecuador (513 men and 899 women with a mean age of 21.2 ± 3.5 years) and Spain (122 men and 242 women with a mean age of 21.8 ± 2.6 years). An ad hoc sociodemographic questionnaire and the Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire were used for data collection. The analysis was performed using Spearman's correlation coefficient and the Mann–Whitney U test. The results show that in Ecuadorian students, all motives correlate positively with each other, whereas in Spanish students, the only motives that do not correlate are social affiliation with image and health improvement with social recognition. In terms of sex, there were significant differences in social affiliation, social recognition, and skill development in both countries as well as in health improvement in Ecuadorian students with higher mean values for men. With respect to country, there are significant differences in health improvement and skill development in Spanish students and in the motive of social recognition in Ecuadorian students. Finally, the main motivations for physical activity in both countries were health improvement and skill development in men and women.
Downloads
References
Abdullah, N., Kueh, Y. C., Hanafi, M. H., Morris, T., y Kuan, G. (2019). Motives for participation and amount of physical activity among Kelantan Chinese adolescents. Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, 26(6), 101-110. https://doi.org/10.21315/mjms2019.26.6.10
Alcaraz-Ibáñez, M., Carrascosa-Ruiz, I., Martínez-Rosales, E., y Burgueño, R. (2022). Influence of goal contents on exercise intention in adolescents: The importance of aspiring to develop skills. Cultura Ciencia y Deporte, 17(52), 89-96. https://doi.org/10.12800/ccd.v17i52.1615
Alemany Arrebola, I., Granda Ortells, L., Mingorance Estrada, A. C., Montilla Medina, M., y Granda Vera, J. (2021). Frecuencia de práctica y motivos Frecuencia de práctica y motivos de participación en actividades físicas en función de la etnia en escolares de 13-14 años de Melilla. Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física Deporte y Recreación, 39, 148–154. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v0i39.77951
Barragán, A. B., Pérez-Fuentes, M. del C., Molero, M. del M., Gázquez, J. J., Martos, Á., y Simón, M. del M. (2018). Motivación para la práctica físico-deportiva y síndrome de burnout en estudiantes de Ciencias de la Salud. European Journal of Health Research, 4(2), 99–110. https://doi.org/10.30552/ejhr.v4i2.108
Benítez Quinche, V. B., Cevallos, D. de L., Simaleza Pino, A. C., y Salguero Rubio, R. X. (2023). La actividad física y la calidad de vida de los estudiantes universitarios ecuatorianos. Ciencia y Educación, 4(3), 21-30.
Bourke, M., Pogrmilovic, B. K., Dash, S., Pila, E., y Hosking, W. (2023). Men's goal-oriented motives, physical activity experiences and body-related perceptions: a latent profile analysis. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 22(6), 1438–1459. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2023.2214152
Carpenter, J. G., Belanger, M., O'Loughlin, J., Xhignesse, M., Ward, S., Caissie, I., y Sabiston, C. (2017). Asociación entre motivos de actividad física y tipo de actividad física en niños. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 15(3), 306-320. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2015.1095779
Castañeda, C., Zagalaz, M. L., Arufe, V., y Campos-Mesa, M. C. (2018). Reasons for the physical activity practice among Sevillian university students. Revista Iberoamericana de Psicología del Ejercicio y El Deporte, 13(1), 79-89.
Cohen J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale, N.J: L. Erlbaum Associates.
Corbí Santamaría, M., Palmero-Cámara, C., y Jiménez-Palmero, A. (2019). Diferencias en los motivos hacia la actividad física de los universitarios según nivel de actividad y su relación con la satisfacción del servicio deportivo universitario. Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física Deporte y Recreación, 35, 191–195. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v0i35.62284
Crespo, D., Narcisa, D., Reyes, V., y Sequera, A. (2022). La nueva normalidad y los niveles de actividad física y sedentarismo en estudiantes universitarios. UCV Hacer - Revista de Investigación y Cultura, 11(2) 27, 31-38.
Deci, E. L., y Ryan, R. M. (1980). Self-determination theory: when mind mediates behavior. The Journal of mind and Behavior, 1, 33–43.
Deci, E. L., y Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and” why” of goal pursuits: human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268.
Edelmann, D., Pfirrmann, D., Heller, S., Dietz, P., Reichel, J. L., Werner, A. M., Schäfer, M., Tibubos, A.N., Deci, N., Letzel, S., Simón, P., y Kalo, K. (2022). Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in University Students–The Role of Gender, Age, Field of Study, Targeted Degree, and Study Semester. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 821703. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.821703
Fox, D. J. (1981). El proceso de investigación en educación. Pamplona: Eunsa.
Franco Álvarez, E., Coterón López, J., Gómez, V., Brito, J., y Martínez González, H. A. (2017). Influencia de la motivación y del flow disposicional sobre la intención de realizar actividad físico-deportiva en adolescentes de cuatro países. Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación, 31, 46–51. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v0i31.39713
Fromel, K., Groffik, D., Safar, M., y Mitas, J. (2022). Differences and Associations between Physical Activity Motives and Types of Physical Activity among Adolescent Boys and Girls. Biomed Research International, 13, 6305204. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6305204
Galeano-Rojas, D., Cuadros-Juárez, M., León Reyes, B. B., Castelo Reyna, M. A., Farías-Valenzuela, C., y Valdivia-Moral, P. (2024). Association between Academic Performance, Physical Activity, and Academic Stress in Compulsory Secondary Education: An Analysis by Sex. Children, 11(10), 1161. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11101161
Gardner, L. A., Vella, S. A., y Magee, C. A. (2017). Continued Participation in Youth Sports: The Role of Achievement Motivation. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 29(1), 17-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2016.1173744
Gasiūnienė, L., y Miežienė, B. (2021). The Relationship Between Students’ Physical Activity and Academic Stress. Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences, 4(123), 4-12. https://doi.org/10.33607/bjshs.v4i123.1142
Gray, P. M., Murphy, M. H., Gallagher, A. M., y Simpson, E. E. A. (2016). Motives and Barriers to Physical Activity among Older Adults of Different Socioeconomic Status. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 24(3), 419-429. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2015-0045
Habib, M. B., Khoo, S., y Morris, T. (2022). Motives and passion of adults from pakistan toward physical activity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 17, 3298. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063298
Hewitt, B., Deranek, K., McLeod, A., y Gudi, A. (2022). Exercise motives impact on physical activities measured using wearable devices. Health Promotion International, 37(3), 12, daac071. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daac071
Ilic, M., Pang, H. W., Vlaski, T., Grujicic, M., y Novakovic, B. (2022). Motives and barriers for regular physical activity among medical students from the Western Balkans (South-East Europe Region). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), 21, 16240. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316240
Kopcakova, J., Veselska, Z. D., Geckova, A. M., Kalman, M., van Dijk, J. P., y Reijneveld, S. A. (2015). Do motives to undertake physical activity relate to physical activity in adolescent boys and girls?. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(7), 7656-7666. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120707656
León-Reyes, B., Arguello Nuñez, L., Roque Herrera, Y., Cresp-Barria, M., Souza-Lima, J., y Galeano-Rojas, D. (2024). Reasons to practice physical activity in ecuadorian university students. Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física Deporte y Recreación, 62, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v62.107708
Ley, C. (2020). Participation motives of sport and exercise maintainers: influences of age and gender. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21), 13, 7830. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217830
Martínez Benítez, J. E., y Sauleda Martínez, L. A. (2019). Diferencias de género en la actividad física y deportiva de los estudiantes de la Universidad Central de Ecuador. Enseñanza y Teaching: Revista Interuniversitaria de Didáctica, 37(2), 7-26. https://doi.org/10.14201/et2019372726
Maselli, M., Ward, P. B., Gobbi, E., and Carraro, A. (2018). Promoting physical activity among university students: a systematic review of controlled trials. American Journal of Health Promotion, 32(7), 1602-1612.https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117117753798
Moreno-Murcia, J. A., Marcos-Pardo, P. J., y Huéscar, E. (2016). Motivos de Práctica Físico-Deportiva en Mujeres: Diferencias entre Practicantes y no Practicantes. Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 25(1) 35-41.
Morris, T., y Roychowdhury, D. (2020). Physical activity for health and wellbeing: the role of motives for participation. Health Psychology Report, 8(4), 391-407. https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr.2020.100111
Pedersen, M. R. L., Hansen, A. F., y Elmose-Osterlund, K. (2021). Motives and Barriers Related to Physical Activity and Sport across Social Backgrounds: Implications for Health Promotion. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(11), 16, 5810. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115810
Práxedes, A., Moreno, A., Sevil, J., Del Villar, F., y García-González, L. (2016). Niveles de actividad física en estudiantes universitarios: diferencias en función del género, la edad y los estados de cambio. Revista Iberoamericana de Psicología del Ejercicio y el Deporte, 11(1), 123-132.
Rauff, E. L., y Kumazawa, M. (2022). Physical activity motives and self-efficacy to overcome physical activity barriers in first-year undergraduates: Do they differ based on physical activity levels. Journal of American College Health, 72(7), 2242–2249. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2109032
Rico-Díaz, J., Arce-Fernández, C., Padrón-Cabo, A., Peixoto-Pino, L., y Abelairas-Gómez, C. (2019). Motivaciones y hábitos de actividad física en alumnos universitarios. Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación, (36), 446 - 453. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v36i36.69906
Rio, C. J., y Saligan, L. N. (2023). Understanding physical activity from a cultural-contextual lens. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1223919. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1223919
Rodríguez-Martínez, P., y Guillen, F. (2017). Motivos de participación deportiva en jóvenes deportistas mexicanos. Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte, 17(3), 105-116.
Sebire, S. J., Standage, M., y Vansteenkiste, M. (2008). Development and validation of the Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 30, 353-377.
Sevil Serrano, J., Práxedes Pizarro, A., Zaragoza Casterad, J., del Villar Álvarez, F., y García-González, L. (2017). Barreras percibidas para la práctica de actividad física en estudiantes universitarios. Diferencias por género y niveles de actividad física. Universitas Psychologica, 16(4), 303-317. https://doi.org/10.11144/javeriana.upsy16-4.bppa
Valenzuela, R., Codina, N., y Pestana, J. V. (2021). University Students' motives-for-physical-activity profiles: Why they practice and what they get in terms of psychological need satisfaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 11(13), 621065. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.621065
Vancampfort, D., Van Damme, T., Probst, M., Vandael, H., Hallgren, M., Mutamba, B. B., Nabanoba, J., Basangwa, D., y Mugisha, J. (2018). Motives for physical activity in the adoption and maintenance of physical activity in men with alcohol use disorders. Psychiatry Research, 261, 522-526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.01.038
Wang, J. (2021). Effects of physical exercise motives on physical health and aerobic fitness of teenagers. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 50(10), 2028-2037. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v50i10.7503
World Medical Association, (2008). Declaración de Helsinki. https://www.wma.net/what-wedo/medical-ethics/declaration-of-helsinki/doh-oct2008/
Zapata-López, J.S., y Betancourt-Peña, J. (2024). Barreras para la actividad física en estudiantes universitarios. Journal of Sport and Health Research, 16(3), 385-400. https://doi.org/10.58727/jshr.100795
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 MHSalud: Revista en Ciencias del Movimiento Humano y Salud
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 Unported License.
General conditions
MHSalud: Journal in Human Movement Sciences and Health by the Universidad Nacional is cover under a Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial-SinDerivadas 3.0 Costa Rica license.
The journal is hosted in open access repositories such as the Institutional Repository of the Universidad Nacional, the Kimuk Repository of Costa Rica and La Referencia.
The editorial source of the journal must be recognized. Use the doi identifier for this purpose.
Self-archiving policy: The journal allows the self-archiving of the articles in their peer-reviewed version, edited and approved by the Editorial Board of the Journal to be available in Open Access through the Internet. More information in the following link: https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/25815
