Satisfaction Of Psychological Needs Through Physical Activity Is Associated With Increased Frequency Of Physical Activity

Fulfilling psychological needs (e.g., challenge, creativity) via physical activity (PA) has gained attention to increase PA engagement. PURPOSE: This study examined whether the satisfaction of psychological needs through PA was associated with the frequency of PA engagement across different PA types. METHODS: Amazon mTurk workers (N=720) between 19-77 years were recruited. Participants chose which of 47 PA types they performed over the past year. For the first three PA types selected, participants were asked about how often they performed the PA (i.e., less than once/month [coded as: 0.5], 1-2 times/month [coded as: 1.5], once/week [coded as: 4.0], multiple times/week [coded as: 10.0]) and rated the extent (1-9) that PA type satisfied 13 dimensions of psychological needs. Dimensions of psychological needs were averaged to assess overall satisfaction and reduced to five factors (i.e., self-actualization, entertainment, esteem, belonging, safety) to fit within Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. A series of linear regressions assessed associations between satisfaction of psychological needs and frequency of PA types performed, controlling for age and sex. RESULTS: Participants were 52% male with a mean age of 40 years. Greater satisfaction of overall psychological needs is associated with more frequent engagement in badminton and trampoline (ps<.001). Greater satisfaction of self-actualization needs was associated with more frequent engagement in badminton, trampoline, and volleyball (ps<.001). Greater satisfaction of entertainment needs was associated with more frequent engagement in badminton and bodyweight exercises (ps<.001). Greater satisfaction of esteem needs was associated with more frequent engagement in trampoline and exercise video games (ps<.001). Greater satisfaction of belonging needs was associated with more frequent engagement in badminton, swimming laps, and trampoline (ps<.001). Satisfaction of safety needs was not associated with frequency of PA engagement. CONCLUSION: Different types of PA satisfied different psychological needs, which were associated with the frequency of participating in those activities. Knowledge of these relationships can lead to using psychological needs assessment tools to provide tailored PA type recommendations to increase PA engagement.