Exercise motivation patterns in emerging adults: dual roles of weight and shape concern in activation and inhibition pathways.

BACKGROUND: Exercise motivation constitutes a key determinant of physical activity(PA). However, prior research has predominantly adopted a variable-centered approach, thereby overlooking the coexistence of multiple motivational goals within individuals. Moreover, in the context of increasing body image concerns, the relationship between body-related concerns and individuals’ patterns of exercise motivation warrants further investigation. The work aimed to assess latent profiles of exercise motivation among Chinese emerging adult males and females, the association of weight and shape concern (WSC) with motivation profiles, and differences in PA across these profiles. METHODS: A total of 2,112 Chinese emerging adults were surveyed using validated instruments measuring exercise motivation, WSC, and PA. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to identify motivation profiles. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations of WSC with profile membership, with body mass index (BMI) included as a covariate. Differences in PA across profiles were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: LPA identified four profiles in the male sample: low-motivation profile, fitness-oriented profile, moderate low-motivation profile, and high-motivation profile. Five profiles were identified in the female samples: low-motivation profile, moderate low-motivation profile, low social-oriented profile, high-motivation profile, and enjoyment and social-oriented profile. WSC was significantly associated with motivation profile membership. For males, higher WSC was associated with a higher likelihood of classification into the high-motivation profile. For females, however, WSC showed a dual association, associated with a higher likelihood of both the high-motivation and low-motivation or low social-oriented profiles. PA varied significantly across profiles. For males, the high-motivation profile exhibited significantly greater PA than all other profiles. For females, the high-motivation profile demonstrated higher PA levels than the low-, moderate low-, and enjoyment and social-oriented profiles, but did not differ significantly from the low social-oriented profile. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise motivation exhibited significant heterogeneity among emerging adults in China. WSC was significantly associated with profile membership in both males and females. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of considering diverse motivational configurations and body image concerns in efforts to promote physical activity.