Examining achievement goals in exercisers: adaptation and validation of the goal orientations in exercise measure (GOEM)

Abstract

The different criteria by which individuals evaluate their competence and define the success (or failure) of their participation in exercise is a topic of interest. The present study aimed to translate and validate the Goal Orientation in Exercise Measure (GOEM) in a sample of Portuguese exercisers. Confirmatory factor analysis and multigroup analyses were developed in order to test the factor structure and measurement invariance of the measure, respectively. The present sample comprised 550 gym and health club exercisers (female = 264; M age = 30.03 ± 10.20), with an attendance of 3.06 times (SD = 1.08) per week, and a mean exercise experience of 37.63 months (SD = 2.37). Current results showed that the measurement model of the GOEM presented adequate fit (total sample model: χ 2 = 108.65, df = 34, B-S p = < .001, SRMR = .045, TLI = .960, CFI = .970, RMSEA = .060). Additionally, measurement invariance was achieved between genders and across different fitness activities. Present results showed that the predictive validity criterion was respected, since task-orientation positively and significantly predicted identified regulation (β = .54) and intrinsic motivation (β = .43), whereas ego-orientation was positively associated with external regulation (β = .46) and amotivation (β = .39). Present findings support the use of the measure for task and ego-orientation assessment, thus allowing further support for the Achievement Goal Theory framework expansion in gym and health clubs research.

Goal Orientation and Physical Activity: Psychometric Properties of the Polish Version of the Goal Orientation in Exercise Measure (GOEM)

“…The validity and reliability of the GOEM scale were also confirmed in the Portuguese [ 17 ] and Turkish studies [ 18 ]. For example, the CFA models of these versions of the GOEM scale fitted the data very well [ 17 , 18 ].…”

“…The validity and reliability of the GOEM scale were also confirmed in the Portuguese [ 17 ] and Turkish studies [ 18 ]. For example, the CFA models of these versions of the GOEM scale fitted the data very well [ 17 , 18 ]. In the case of the Portuguese version of the scale, the authors obtained the results indicating a good fit of the model to the data for the whole group, women and men separately, fitness group classes, cardio workout and resistance training.…”

“…In contrast, individuals who are characterized by an ego orientation during exercise feel justified when they perform the exercise better than other participants, and can manifest superiority in this regard [ 8 , 9 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Participation in physical activity seems to be naturally related to task orientation [ 16 , 17 ]. It can be assumed that an orientation towards personal development, progression and the achievement of goals related to physical tasks promotes involvement in physical activity.…”

“…It can be assumed that an orientation towards personal development, progression and the achievement of goals related to physical tasks promotes involvement in physical activity. These components belong to the task subscale, which is positively correlated with the intrinsic motivation [ 13 , 17 , 18 ], which, in turn, is important for physical activity functioning [ 19 ]. Additionally, according to Kilpatrick [ 16 ], the associations of ego orientation with the exercise context can be explained by referring, for example, to social comparison theory [ 20 ].…”

“…In the case of the Portuguese version of the scale, the authors obtained the results indicating a good fit of the model to the data for the whole group, women and men separately, fitness group classes, cardio workout and resistance training. The results of invariance analysis in the specified groups were also presented [ 17 ]. Furthermore, satisfactory test-retest reliability indices were obtained (for the Turkish version of the scale at a two-week interval, and for the Portuguese version at a four-week interval).…”