Training Plan Elements as Predictors of Exercise Motivation: A Cross-Sectional Study
Volume 16, Issue 1 (2026)
Volume 16, Issue 1 (2026)
Training Plan Elements as Predictors of Exercise Motivation: A Cross-Sectional Study
Apstrakt:
Motivation is a key determinant of sustained engagement in physical exercise; however, the influence of training plan elements on specific motivational dimensions remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to examine the influence of training plan elements on motivation to exercise. A two-month cross-sectional study was conducted on a total sample of 1,087 participants from fitness centres in the Banja Luka region. Two sets of variables were applied: the first set, a self-developed questionnaire, was used to describe training plan elements such as training level, training mode, training structure, prescribed training plan, training type, training breaks, training frequency, and training volume, including the personal variable of gender; and the second set consisted of the EMI-2 questionnaire (Markland & Ingledew, 1997). The EMI-2 scale comprises 14 subscales: Social Recognition, Health Pressures, Competition, Weight Management, Affiliation, Challenge, Appearance, Stress Management, Ill-Health Avoidance, Nimbleness, Enjoyment, Strength and Endurance, Revitalisation, and Positive Health. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the predictive influence of training plan elements on the EMI-2 subscales. Overall, training type and training mode emerged as consistent positive predictors, whereas training level and structure functioned as a negative predictor, highlighting the complex and multidirectional relationship between training plan elements and exercise motivation.
Ključne riječi:
training plan, exercise, motivation, fitness
Puni tekst:
Reference:
Albulescu, P., Macsinga, I., Rusu, A., Sulea, C., Bodnaru, A., &Tulbure, B. T. (2022). “Give me a break!” A systematic review and meta-analysis
on the efficacy of micro-breaks for increasing well-being and performance. PloS one, 17(8), e0272460. https://doi.org/10.1371/
journal.pone.0272460
American College of Sports Medicine. (2013). ACSM’s guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. Lippincott williams&wilkins.
Al Salim, Z. (2024). Motivation for physical activity in college students: The influence of gender and type activity. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry,
25(3).
Ball, J. W., Bice, M. R., & Parry, T. (2014). Adults’ motivation for physical activity:Differentiating motives for exercise, sport, and recreation.
Recreational Sports Journal, 38(2), 130-142.
Boone, S. D., &Brausch, A. M. (2016). Physical activity, exercise motivations, depression, and nonsuicidal self‐injury in youth. Suicide and
Life‐Threatening Behavior, 46(5), 625-633.
Bycura, D., Feito, Y., & Prather, C. (2017). Motivational factors in CrossFit® training participation. Health Behavior and Policy Review, 4(6),
539-550.
Campos, L. A., Dos Santos, A., Sampaio, M. M. B., Marôco, J., & Campos, J. A. D. B. (2022). Exercise motives among university students - A
Brazil-Portugal transnational study. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 1009762. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1009762
Caspersen, C.J., Powell, K.E., & Christenson, G.M. (1985). Physical activity, exercise,
and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research. Publichealth reports,100(2),126.
Chekhovska, L. (2017). Fitness industry: state and prospects of development in the countries of the world. Slobozhanskyi herald of science and
sport, (2 (58)), 19-24.
Cho, D., & Beck, S. (2016) Competitive physical activity participation: effect on motivation of international college students. Journal of the
Oklahoma Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 53(3), 63–70.
Costa, S., Oliva, P., &Cuzzocrea, F. (2014). Motivational aspects and personality correlates of physical exercise behavior. Facta Universitatis,
Series: Physical Education and Sport, 83-93.
Duncan, L. R., Hall, C. R., Wilson, P. M., & Jenny, O. (2010). Exercise motivation: a cross-sectional analysis examining its relationships with
frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 7, 1-9.
Ednie, A., &Stibor, M. (2017) Influence and interpretation of intrinsic and extrinsic exercise motives. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise,
12(2), 414–425.
Frederick, M., & Ryan, M. (1993). Differences in motivation for sport and exercise and their relations with participation and mental health.
Journal of Sport Behavior, 16, 125–145.
Janković, S., &Tubic, T. (2025). Internal consistency reliability of the Serbian version of the EMI-2 questionnaire in the fitness population.
Exercise and Quality of Life, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.31382/20260603
Kilpatrick, M., Hebert, E., & Bartholomew, J. (2005). College students’ motivation for physical activity: differentiating men’s and women’s
motives for sport participation and exercise. J. Am. Coll. Health 54, 87–94. doi: 10.3200/JACH.54.2. 87-94
Kulavic, K., Hultquist, C. N., &McLester, J. R. (2013) A comparison of motivational factors and barriers to physical activity among traditional
versus nontraditional college students. Journal of American College Health, 61(2), 60–66.
Lee, Y. H., Yoon, J. H., Song, K. J., & Oh, J. K. (2021). Effects of cool-down exercise and cold-water immersion therapy on basic fitness and
sport-specific skills among Korean college soccer players. Iranian journal of public health, 50(11), 2211.
Markland, D., &Ingledew, D. K. (1997). The measurement of exercise motives: factorial validity and invariance across gender of a revised
exercise motivations inventory. Br. J. Health Psychol. 2, 361–376. doi: 10.1111/j.2044-8287.1997.tb00549.x
Martinez, C. T., Gillespie, K., & Bale, S. (2014). Exercise motivation: The role of gender, age, and body mass index. Int J Health Wellness
Soc, 4, 2014.
Mears, J., & Kilpatrick, M. (2008). Motivation for exercise: Applying theory to make a difference in adoption and adherence. ACSM’s health
& fitness journal, 12(1), 20-26.
Nuhu A, Jelsma J, Dunleavy K, & Burgess T. (2021) Effect of the FIFA 11+ soccer specific warm up programme on the incidence of injuries:
A cluster-randomised controlled trial. PLoS ONE 16(5): e0251839.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0251839
Oh, D. W. (2013). Effects of warm-up and cool-down exercises for preventing delayed onset muscle soreness on pain and muscle activation.
Physical Therapy Korea, 20(1), 28-35.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2007). Introduction: Active Human Nature. Intrinsic motivation and selfdetermination in exercise and sport, 1-20.
Tsaur, S. H., Lin, W. R., & Cheng, T. M. (2015). Toward a structural model of challenge experience in adventure recreation. Journal of Leisure
Research, 47(3), 322-336.
Vaidahazan, R. C., Hantiu, I., &Staicu, A. (2016). Weight training in gyms of Cluj-Napoca as leisure physical activity: Warm-up and cool-down
phases. Studia Universitatis Babeș-BolyaiEducatioArtisGymnasticae, 5-14.
Vuckovic, V., Cuk, I., &Duric, S. (2023). Purchase channels and motivation for exercise in the slovenian population: customer behavior as a
guarantee of fitness center sustainability. Behavioral Sciences, 13(6), 447.
Vuckovic, V., &Duric, S. (2024) Motivational variations in fitness: a population study of exercise modalities, gender and relationship status.
Front. Psychol. 15:1377947. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1377947
Wackerhage, H., & Schoenfeld, B. J. (2021). Personalized, evidence-informed training plans and exercise prescriptions for performance, fitness
and health. Sports Medicine, 51(9), 1805-1813.
