The purpose of this study was to examine possible psychological correlates of flow in a sample of older athletes. Both state and trait, or dispositional flow states, were examined. Masters athletes completed questionnaire assessments on two occasions while competing at an international masters sport competition. The participants (398) completed a questionnaire assessing intrinsic/extrinsic motivation, goal orientation, trait anxiety, perceived ability, and typical flow experiences (trait) when participating in sport. Of these participants, 213 completed a questionnaire after and in relation to one event they competed in at the Games. This second questionnaire assessed state flow, as well as perceptions of success, skills, and challenges in a selected sport event. Correlational and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine psychological correlates of state and trait flow. Patterns of relationships were found between flow and perceived ability, anxiety, and an intrinsic motivation variable. Understanding flow and its relationship with other psychological variables are discussed.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the utility of the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior in predicting the exercise intentions and behavior of corporate employees. Corporate employees (/7=332) who completed two questionnaires served as subjects. The first questionnaire assessed intentions, subjective norm, attitude, and perceived control with respect to participating in regular, vigorous physical activity. Participants also completed a follow-up questionnaire 4 weeks later that assessed self-reported frequency of vigorous physical activity during those 4 weeks. Hierarchical-regression analyses indicated that perceived behavioral control (the critical variable in the theory of planned behavior) accounted for a significant portion of the variance in intentions and self-reported exercise behavior, above that accounted for by reasoned action. These results lend support to Ajzen's theory of planned behavior, which suggests that individuals' perceptions of control are most important when attempting behaviors that are not completely under volitional control.

This investigation examined parental influence on children’s moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) participation via an expectancy-value model that included parents’ behavior, parents’ beliefs about their children’s MVPA, and children’s beliefs about their MVPA. The influence of parents on their children’s MVPA was investigated via questionnaires tapping the belief systems of fourth- and fifth-grade children (n=71) and their parents (n=69). Self-reported MVPA was assessed for parents and children. Correlational analyses demonstrated a number of significant relationships between parents’ belief systems and children’s MVPA behavior and children’s belief systems and their physical activity participation. Based on hierarchical regression analyses, there was no evidence of a positive relationship between parents’ physical activity behavior (role modeling) and children’s physical activity behavior. Parents’ perceptions of their children’s MVPA competence was the only parent belief system variable related to children’s MVPA participation. In addition, children’s task orientation and expectancies significantly predicted their MVPA participation.

The purposes of this study were to (a) examine the relationship between children's beliefs (value, competence, and goal orientations) pertaining to fitness-oriented activities and their participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), (b) determine whether children's own beliefs are related to their perceptions of their parents' beliefs about them (value, competence, goal orientations, expectancies), and (c) examine the relationship between children's perceptions of their parents' beliefs and their MVPA. Self-report questionnaires and structured interviews were administered to children (N = 81, ages 11-15) in a one-on-one situation in their homes to tap their own beliefs, their perceptions of their parents' beliefs, and to assess children's level of MVPA through the use of two-day recall and peer comparison measures. Multivariate multiple-regression analyses revealed that children's beliefs about their MVPA could predict a significant amount of the variance in their self-reported MVPA and that children's perceptions of their parents' beliefs were unrelated to their MVPA. Follow-up canonical correlation analyses showed that the most significant and positive predictors of MVPA were children's perceptions of competence and the degree to which they endorse a task and ego orientation. S second multivariate multiple-regression analysis revealed that children's perceptions of their parents' beliefs about them and their own beliefs about MVPA were significantly related. These findings are discussed within the framework of a Family Influence Model for understanding children's MVPA participation.

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