The Impact of Sports Center Members’ Psychological Needs on Participation Satisfaction, Exercise Commitment, Psychological Happiness, and Exercise Adherence

Grounded in Self-Determination Theory(SDT), this study investigates the extent to which the psychological needs of autonomy, relatedness, and competence influence participation satisfaction, exercise commitment, psychological happiness, and exercise adherence among sports center members. A total of 487 valid responses were obtained from 500 members of sports centers across Seoul, Gyeonggi, Jeonbuk, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam areas. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0, employing frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that (1) autonomy was the sole predictor of participation satisfaction; (2) autonomy and relatedness significantly predicted exercise commitment; (3) competence alone significantly predicted psychological happiness; and (4) autonomy and competence significantly predicted exercise adherence. These findings extend the application of SDT in the context of sports center participation, offering theoretical insights and practical implications for promoting sustained engagement, enhanced psychological happiness, and long-term exercise commitment.