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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Psychol.
Sec. Sport Psychology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1499322
This article is part of the Research Topic Motivations For Physical Activity - Volume III View all 3 articles

Contributions of Hope in Physical Activity and Exercise Goal Attainment in College Students

Provisionally accepted
Corinthian Blythe Corinthian Blythe *Hayami H Nishio Hayami H Nishio Alyssa Wright Alyssa Wright Perla Flores Perla Flores Kevin L Rand Kevin L Rand Kelly Marie Naugle Kelly Marie Naugle
  • Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background. College students significantly decrease physical activity (PA) over the course of a four-year degree, increasing the risk for chronic disease. Research shows that psychological constructs impact behavior and goal attainment. However, little is known regarding the effect of psychological variables on PA levels in students. This study examined the association of psychological factors, PA, and exercise goals in college students. Methods. Students completed two questionnaires within one semester approximately eight weeks apart. The first (Time 1) included the Adult Hope Scale, Life Orientation Test-Revised, Self-Efficacy to Regulate Exercise, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and goal assessments. The second (Time 2) included the IPAQ, and scales for goal progress and success. One-hundred seven participants completed both surveys and included an exercise goal. Results. Predictors of exercise goal attainment included moderate PA at Time 1, goal importance, hope-agency, and the hope-agency by major interaction. Predictors of vigorous PA at Time 2 included hope-agency and moderate PA. The only predictor of moderate PA at Time 2 was moderate PA at Time 1. The only predictor of total PA at Time 2 was moderate PA at Time 1. Conclusion. Higher hopeagency scores predicted self-reported vigorous PA. We also provide evidence that trait hope influences perceived exercise goal achievement over time.

    Keywords: hope, optimism, Exercise, physical activity, student

    Received: 20 Sep 2024; Accepted: 27 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Blythe, Nishio, Wright, Flores, Rand and Naugle. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Corinthian Blythe, Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States

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