Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a technology-enhanced physical activity intervention on self-determined motivation, attention and concentration, and physical fitness in school-aged children. My specific research focus is on whether Self-Determination Theory targeted motivational interventions have a positive correlation with physical fitness level. In the initial literature search, 376 articles were collected using variations of the keywords Self-Determination Theory, cognitive functioning, and physical activity. Additionally, the search was restricted by ages 6-18 and peer-reviewed articles published after the year 2005. These articles were collected from the databases ERIC, psychINFO, Pubmed, Sports Discus, and CIHAHL. Additionally, specific articles were collected from a few key authors who conducted Self Determination Theory studies with school-aged children. Specifically, these authors were Ntoumanis and Standage. Once collected, the articles were narrowed down to 10 through the deletion by duplicates, title, abstract, and then the full length article. The 56 participating students completed the Physical Activity and Attitude Questionnaire, which measures motivation as it relates to physical activity as a pre and post assessment. Additionally, students took a fitness test including a 1-mile run, taken from FITNESSGRAM (2015), which determined the students’ health related fitness zone (HRFZ). These participants’ mile times were placed into one of three categories (below average, average, and above average) depending on their performance on the assessment. Both the survey and the fitness test were performed at the beginning of the study and at the end of the 4-week study. The results from this study show that there is a significant positive relationship between intrinsic motivation and the students HRFZ as well as between autonomy and the students HRFZ. 

Purpose

This study investigated the relationship between students’ motivation in PE class and their level of physical fitness. 

UROP student: Sophie Wittenberg

• UROP poster