Differences in Participant Motivation Based on Category of Body Mass Index and Gender

Motivation is defined as “the directions and intensity of one’s effort” and is a significant factor in the selection of exercise and sport. Participant motivation evaluates those factors that enhance or inhibit motivation to participate and is represented by factors as health orientation, weight concern/weight loss and personal goal achievement. The research aim was to evaluate the differences in nine participant motivation factors based on health risk categories of body mass index (BMI) using four BMI categories of underweight, normal, overweight and obese and related to athlete gender. The nine participant motivation factors utilized in the study were health orientation, weight concern, personal goal achievement, competition, recognition, affiliation, psychological coping, life meaning and self-esteem. Male and female athletes competing at the 2009 World Masters Games, Sydney, Australia volunteered for the research (male; n = 3687; mean age = 53.72; SD = 10.05 and female; n = 3488; mean age = 49.39; SD = 9.15). Athletes completed an online survey using the Limesurveytm interactive survey system where they responded to a 56 item sport psychological instrument, the Motivations of Marathoners Scale. Results for male athletes significant differences (p < .001) were identified for BMI category with health orientation, weight concern, personal goal achievement, competition, affiliation, life meaning and self-esteem, although eta² values were small (η ² values .002–.020). For female athletes significant differences (p < .001) were identified for BMI category with health orientation, weight concern, personal goal achievement, competition, affiliation and self-esteem, although eta² values were small (η ² values .001–.017). No significant differences occurred for recognition, life meaning or psychological coping.