Application of the Hierarchical Model of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation in the context of exercise: a Systematic Review

Bernardo Viveiro ¹ Miguel Jacinto ^1,2* Raul Antunes ^1,2 Rui Matos ^1,2 Nuno Amaro ^1,2 Luis Cid ^2,3 Nuno Couto ^2,3 Diogo Monteiro ^1,2

• ¹ Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Leiria, Leiria, Portugal
• ² Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
• ³ School of Sports of Rio Maior, Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Rio Maior, Santarém, Portugal

Given the increase in sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity, various psychosocial approaches have been used to combat this epidemic. Several studies have used Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as a theoretical framework for studying behavioral change, as well as the Hierarchical Model of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation (HMIEM) which, based on SDT, aims to explain how different levels of generality can be responsible for behavioral consequences. The aim was to investigate the associations analyze the associations established between the variables that make up the HMIEM model applied to the context of physical exercise (gym exercisers). Following the PRISMA protocol and the PECOS strategy, the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases were used to search for experimental and non-experimental studies written in English. Seven studies were considered for analysis and subjected to a methodological quality assessment The results showed that the variables that make up the social factors (e.g., supportive/thwarting behaviors) tend to be associated with satisfaction of basic psychological needs (BPN) (r = 0.51, p<0.01; r = -0.73, p<0.01) and with frustration of BPN (r = -0.39, p<0.01; r = 0.78, p<0. 01), BPN satisfaction and frustration tend to be associated with autonomous forms of motivation (r = 0.57, p<0.01; r = -0.63, p<0.01) and controlled forms of motivation (r = -0.76,p<0.01; r = 0.46, p<0.01) and autonomous and controlled forms of motivation are associated with behavioral consequences (e.g., intention) (r = 0.19, p<0.01; r = -0.17, p<0.01). This systematic review covers interpersonal behavioursbehaviors and the bright and dark sides of SDT, showing that the positive alignment between the psychosocial determinants that make up the horizontal axis of the HMIEM is fundamental for adherence to and maintenance of sustainable physical exercise practices, and future studies should now address these issues in a longitudinal manner and perhaps move on to study the vertical axis of the HMIEM. The positive alignment between the psychosocial determinants that make up the horizontal axis of the HMIEM is fundamental for adherence to and maintenance of sustainable physical exercise practices.