Motives for and Barriers to Physical Activity in Twin Pairs Discordant for Leisure Time Physical Activity for 30 Years

Abstract

Long-term persistent physical activity is important in the prevention of chronic diseases, but a large number of people do not participate in physical activity to obtain health benefits. The purpose of this study was to examine the motives and perceived barriers to long-term engagement in leisure time physical activity. Same-sex twin pairs (N=16, mean age 60) discordant for physical activity over 30 years were identified from the Finnish Twin Cohort. We evaluated participants' physical activity motivation with the 73-item Recreational Exercise Motivation Measure and assessed barriers to physical activity with a 25-item questionnaire. The characteristics of physical activity motivation and perceived barriers between the active and inactive co-twins were analysed using paired tests. Motives related to the sub-dimensions of enjoyment and physical fitness and psychological state were the most important reasons for participation in physical activity among all the twin individuals analysed. The sub-dimensions mastery (p=0.018, Cohen's d=0.76), physical fitness (p=0.029, Cohen's d=0.69), and psychological state (p=0.039, Cohen's d=0.65) differed significantly between active and inactive co-twins. More than half of the participants reported no reasons for not being physically active. If reasons existed, participation in physical activity was deterred mostly by pain and various health problems. This study found no differences in perceived barriers between active and inactive co-twins. We conclude from our results that the main factors promoting persistent leisure time physical activity were participants' wish to improve or maintain their physical skills or techniques, a feeling that exercise would improve their mental and physical health and that they found the activity enjoyable. This study helps us understand the importance of the role of motives and the minor role of perceived barriers for engagement in persistent physical activity.

Validating the physical activity and leisure motivation scale (PALMS)

“…Nonetheless, they do represent a culture that is quite different from the Australian culture in which the motivation questionnaires (REMM, PALMS) were developed. The REMM and PALMS have now been examined in Australia [45,47], Turkey [44], Finland [18], Israel [48], and now Malaysia with a high degree of consistency and stability, suggesting that the underlying factors measured by these instruments are motives that apply across cultures and languages. This provides support for the factorial invariance of the PALMS.…”

“…Although the antecedents to participation in PA are highly complex [14], the most crucial reason for people to be physically active during their spare time is motivation. Motivation not only affects PA participation, but is also a critical factor in exercise adherence [15][16][17][18].…”

Physical activity in patients with heart failure : motivations, self-efficacy and the potential of exergaming

“…10,[13][14][15][16] Furthermore, motivation and self-efficacy are seen as important in becoming and staying physically active. 14,17,18 In order to promote physical activity in patients with HF, it is essential to know how physically active they are and to understand their motivations and self-efficacy beliefs and how these concepts are related.…”

Beliefs, Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity in Bariatric Surgery Candidates

“…People with chronic health conditions often present with disease-related barriers such as low levels of fitness and pain [14,15], alongside the typical barriers to PA reported in the general population (e.g. time constraints, lack of motivation, work and family commitments, limited financial resources and the weather) [16,17]. Obese populations have reported obesity-related barriers, including feeling overweight, self-consciousness and a perceived lack of self-discipline [18][19][20][21].…”