About this Research Topic

Background

Physical activity engagement is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon driven by a variety of motivations. This Research Topic seeks to advance our understanding of the factors that inspire individuals to participate in physical activity. The collection of papers in this volume aims to shed new light on this topic, offering fresh insights into motivational aspects.

With this collection, we hope to offer valuable insights into the complex realm of motivations for physical activity and underscore the significance of individual characteristics, social and cultural factors, and environmental influences in shaping exercise behaviors. Our goal is also to highlight research findings that hold implications for the promotion of physical activity across various populations, including college students, older adults, and those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We welcome submissions from a broad range of topics, including, but not limited to:

• The correlation between self-control and exercise;
• the motives behind physical activity among university students;
• the impact of COVID-19 on youth's engagement in physical activity;
• barriers and facilitations in undertaking physical activity;
• attitude and motivation to change in health behaviors related to physical activity;
• the role of preferences and interests in undertaking physical activity;
• development and validation of tools to measure motivation for physical activity;
• relationships between motivation for physical activity and core self-evaluations (including - self-esteem, self-efficacy, locus of control, neuroticism), and traits of personality and temperament;
• motivation for physical activity of various social groups, including school children, adolescents, emerging adults, middle-aged adults, older people, individuals with chronic diseases, and people with mental disorders;
• motivation for physical activity and other pro-health behaviors (e.g., healthy diet, preventive behaviors, taking care of emotional and mental balance, adequate amount of sleep and rest) and anti-health behaviors (e.g., smoking, binge drinking, substance abuse, risky sexual behaviors);
• the role of social media and applications in electronic devices (e.g., smartphones and watches) in motivating people for physical activity;
• gender differences in motivation for physical activity and healthy lifestyle impact of positive emotions, optimism, and hope in shaping motivation for physical activity; affective evaluation in physical activity engagement;
• effort optimization, motivation, and physical activity;
• executive functions mediating motivation to participate in physical activity;
• neural correlates involved in motivation for physical activity.

Researchers and scholars are invited to submit their original research to contribute to this Research Topic. Additionally, we also welcome, brief research reports, clinical trials, systematic reviews, reviews, mini-reviews, theoretical articles, and methods.

By delving into the motivations that drive physical activity participation, we can advance our understanding of this vital area and inform strategies for promoting and sustaining active lifestyles.

Keywords: Discouragement and demotivation, Health-related behaviors, Healthy lifestyle, Physical exercise, Motivations, Physical activity

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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