Identity and motivational factors regarding leisure time physical activity among high school students

Background: Past research has shown that identity and motivational factors regarding physical activity (PA) are related to adolescents¿ participation in leisure time physical activity and other health-related behaviours. This study aimed to explore gender and age differences in this context. Methods: Participants were 212 Dutch high-school students (43% male) in the age of 11¿19 years (M¼15.2, SD¼1.95). Participants completed a paper-and-pencil questionnaire including measures of leisure time physical activity, PA identity, PA motives, and smoking behaviour. Findings: Boys and girls identified (equally) strongly with being a physically active person. While a stronger PA identity was not associated with higher participation in leisure time physical activity, it was associated with less smoking. PA motives differed by gender and age. Discussion: Competition was important for boys, while girls attached more importance to improving health. With increasing age, enjoyment became a less important and appearance a more important PA motive.