Academic motivation in physical education teacher education

La regulación integrada se ha mostrado como la regulación motivacional con mayor poder predictivo sobre las conductas adaptativas en diferentes ámbitos de la vida, sin embargo, aún no ha sido estudiada en el contexto educativo. El objetivo de este estudio fue incorporar la medida de la regulación integrada a la Escala de Motivación Educativa y observar las propiedades psicométricas de este instrumento. Participaron en el estudio 333 universitarios del área de Educación Física de la Universidad Federal do Espirito Santo/ Brasil. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró índices de ajuste aceptables para el modelo de ocho factores correlacionados. Los resultados del análisis de regresión mostraron que la regulación integrada fue la variable que mejor predijo la intención de ser profesor. Este instrumento podría contribuir a una mayor comprensión de los procesos motivacionales involucrados en el ámbito de la formación inicial en Educación Física en BrasilIntegrated regulation has been showed as the motivational regulation with the highest predictive power on adaptive behaviours in different life domains; however, it has not been examined in the educational context yet. The purpose of this study was to incorporate the assessment of integrated regulation to the Academic Motivation Scale in the initial training of Physical Education teachers in Brazil and examine the psychometric properties of this instrument. There were 333 undergraduate participants from the bachelor degree of Physical Education, Federal University of Espirito Santo/ Brazil. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit indices for the eight-factor correlated structure. The results of the regression analysis showed that the variable integrated regulation was the strongest predictor of the intention to become a teacher. This new instrument may contribute to a deeper understanding of the motivational processes involved in the initial training of Physical Education teacherEsta investigación ha sido realizada gracias a la ayuda recibida por parte de la Fundación Carolin

A Survey on Linked Data and the Social Web as facilitators for TEL recommender systems

Personalisation, adaptation and recommendation are central features of TEL environments. In this context, information retrieval techniques are applied as part of TEL recommender systems to filter and recommend learning resources or peer learners according to user preferences and requirements. However, the suitability and scope of possible recommendations is fundamentally dependent on the quality and quantity of available data, for instance, metadata about TEL resources as well as users. On the other hand, throughout the last years, the Linked Data (LD) movement has succeeded to provide a vast body of well-interlinked and publicly accessible Web data. This in particular includes Linked Data of explicit or implicit educational nature. The potential of LD to facilitate TEL recommender systems research and practice is discussed in this paper. In particular, an overview of most relevant LD sources and techniques is provided, together with a discussion of their potential for the TEL domain in general and TEL recommender systems in particular. Results from highly related European projects are presented and discussed together with an analysis of prevailing challenges and preliminary solutions.LinkedU

Effects of pubertal timing and pubertal tempo on social physique anxiety, self-determined motivation, and exercise in early adolescent girls

Purpose: Research has shown that there is a decrease in physical activity levels during early adolescence, especially for girls. Previous studies have shown that the social physique anxiety (SPA) may be a controlling factor influencing exercise motivation and engagement in this behavior; however, the potential role that puberty plays in this decrease has not been considered until now. The objective of the present study was to examine the impact of pubertal timing and pubertal tempo on SPA and exercise motivation and behavior. Methods: Data from 328 early adolescent girls, aged between 9 and 12 at the time of joining the study, were collected in 3 waves over a 2-year period. Using structural equation modeling techniques, different 3-time-point growth models were estimated to examine if earlier maturing and compressed maturing in girls had differential effects on SPA and exercise motivation and behavior. Results: The results from growth analyses suggest that early maturing (according to all the pubertal indicators considered, except menstruation) tends to translate into (1) an increase in SPA levels and (2) a decrease in exercise - in the latter case, by reducing self-determined motivation. However, no differential effects from any of the pubertal indicators were found for compressed maturing in girls. Discussion: These results highlight the need for increased efforts toward developing programs aimed at helping early maturing girls to cope with the challenges of puberty with a particular focus on SPA experiences and exercise motivation and behavior

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between body dissatisfaction and morbid exercise behaviour

Background: The present study aimed to quantify the relationship between body dissatisfaction and morbid exercise behaviour (MEB). Methods: The electronic databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SciELO, and Dissertations and Theses Global were searched from inception to September 2020. Pooled effect sizes corrected for sampling errors (r +) were computed using a bare-bones meta-analysis. The robustness of the results was examined by influence analyses. The presence of moderators was examined by inspection of the variance in r + attributable to sampling errors and 80% credibility intervals, followed by subgroup analysis and univariable/multivariable meta-regressions. Publication bias was examined by visual inspection of funnel plot symmetry, cumulative meta-analysis, and Egger's test. Results: A total of 41 effect sizes from 33 studies (n = 8747) were retrieved. Results showed a significant and near to moderate effect size (r + = 0.267, 95% CI = 0.226 to 0.307), and this did not differ by gender, BMI, age, percentage of Whites, study quality, or MEB measure. Conversely, effect sizes were found to be stronger in published and more recently conducted studies. Conclusion: The findings indicate that body dissatisfaction is one of the likely causes underlying MEB. This suggests the need for further longitudinal research aimed at confirming the potential causal nature of this relationship

Examining the reliability of the scores of self-report instruments assessing problematic exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aims: Problematic exercise (PE) has mainly been assessed with self-report instruments. However, summarized evidence on the reliability of the scores derived from such instruments has yet to be provided. The present study reports a reliability generalization meta-analysis of six well-known self-report measures of PE (Commitment to Exercise Scale, Compulsive Exercise Test, Exercise Addiction Inventory, Exercise Dependence Questionnaire, Exercise Dependence Scale, and Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire). Methods: Pooled effect sizes were computed using a random-effect model employing a restricted maximum likelihood estimation method. Univariable and multivariable meta-regressions analyses were employed for testing moderator variables. Results: Data retrieved from 255 studies (741 independent samples, N = 254,174) identified three main groups of findings: (i) pooled alpha values that, ranging from 0.768 to 0.930 for global scores and from 0.615 to 0.907 for subscale scores, were found to be sensitive to sociodemographic and methodological characteristics; (ii) reliability induction rates of 47.58%; and (iii) the virtually non-existent testing of the assumptions required for the proper applicability of alpha. Data unavailability prevented the provision of summarized reliability estimates in terms of temporal stability. Discussion: These findings highlight the need to improve reliability reporting of the scores of self-reported instruments of PE in primary studies. This implies providing both prior justification for the appropriateness of the index employed and reliability data for all the subpopulation of interest. The values presented could be used as a reference both for comparisons with those obtained in future primary studies and for correcting measurement-related artefacts in quantitative meta-analytic research concerning PE

A review of the components of problematic exercise in psychometric assessment instruments

Backgrounds: The range of theoretical conceptualizations of problematic exercise in psychometric assessment instruments makes it difficult to identify the components that define this phenomenon. A better understanding of the underlying components of problematic exercise may contribute to progress toward providing scientific evidence that allows for deciding whether problematic exercise should be considered a substantive mental health disorder. The objective of the present review was to examine and compare, through a content analysis of their items, the components of problematic exercise in psychometric assessment instruments identified in a recent systematic review. Methods: A total of 33 components of problematic exercise were identified in the 17 assessment instruments included in the present review. Results: The results show that, despite the lack of consensus in the operational definition of their factors and the variety of ways of wording their items, the instruments reflect some common components that might indicate core criteria (i.e., salience, withdrawal, and mood modification) or candidate components (i.e., conflict, and continuance despite problems) of problematic exercise. However, other components of different nature were shown to be specific to some of the problematic exercise conceptualizations on which the assessment instruments are based. Conclusion: In the interest of reaching a consensus that allows to advance in this research field, further studies are needed to resolve which components are inherently problematic

An exploratory examination of the relationship between symptoms of depression and exercise addiction among undergraduate recreational exercisers

Research has consistently demonstrated an association between depressive disorders and behavioral addictions. However, the relationship between depression and exercise addiction has rarely been investigated. The present study examined the relationship between self-reported depression and exercise addiction symptoms. A sample of 691 Spanish undergraduate leisure exercisers (59% males; Mage = 21.25 years; SDage = 2.94) completed a self-report survey. Two regression analyses employing a maximum likelihood robust estimation method were conducted controlling for the effects of age, gender, BMI, perceived health status, exercise frequency, and risk of eating disorders. In the first regression analysis, depression symptoms (β = .275) explained a significant amount of variance in exercise addiction symptoms (33%). In the second regression analysis, exercise addiction symptoms (β = .320) explained a significant amount of variance in depression symptoms (22%). Symptoms of depression and exercise addiction may simultaneously occur among leisure exercisers. These findings suggest the need for further longitudinal research examining the temporal patterns and directionality between depression and exercise addiction

Theoretical conceptualisations of problematic exercise in psychometric assessment instruments: a systematic review

Background and aims: The aim of the present systematic review was to identify psychometric tools developed to assess problematic exercise in order to identify and compare their theoretical con-ceptualisations on which they are based. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the electronic databases Web of Science, Scielo, PsychINFO, PsycTEST and SCOPUS from their inception to January 2020. Results: Seventeen assessment instruments met the eligibility criteria to be included in the present review. The instruments were classified according to their conceptualisation into five groups: (i) problematic exercise as an end of an exercise continuum, (ii) problematic exercise as a means of regulating body size and weight, (iii) problematic exercise as dependence, (iv) problematic exercise as a behavioural addiction and (v) no clear conceptualisation. Discussion: The results suggest that the conceptualisations of the assessment instruments have resulted in a strong dichotomy in relation to the primary or secondary character of the problematic exercise that might be limiting the capacity of the instruments to adequately capture the multidimensionality of this construct. Conclusions: Given the interest in understanding the complexity surrounding the problematic exercise, future research should develop more comprehensive definitions of this construct. This would allow a greater conceptual consensus to be reached that would allow progress to be made in the study of the problematic exercise

Psychometric properties of problematic exercise measures: a systematic review

The present study summarized, compared, and critically appraised the methodological quality of the most used self-report measures assessing problematic exercise (PE) (i.e. CES, CET, EAI, EDQ, EDS, OEQ). A pre-registered systematic review was conducted in accordance with the 2018 COSMIN criteria and PRISMA methodology. Six electronic databases were searched for studies developing, validating and/or testing the psychometric properties of the psychometric instruments. Data from 48 studies comprising the six original instruments and their eight modified versions were included. The methodological quality (risk-bias) of the development studies of all 14 instruments was rated as ‘inadequate’. Limited evidence base in support of most of the measurement properties under examination was found, with the most relevant being that concerning content validity. Findings call into question (i) the accuracy and usefulness of the body of evidence obtained by employing these instruments, and (ii) the advisability of persisting with its use, at least until the issues identified in the present study have been adequately addressed. Obtaining further evidence on the measurement properties of existing self-report PE instruments as well as providing them in early stages of development for those to be proposed in the future should be a priority for research in this field