Maintaining physical activity over time: the importance of basic psychological need satisfaction in developing the physically active self.

PURPOSE: Drawing from self-determination theory, this study investigated adults' perceptions of the process of long-term maintenance of physical activity and how it may relate to their self-identity.
DESIGN: Qualitative study included 22 in-depth interviews and participants' recorded personal reflective journals.
SETTING: Health/fitness facility in a Midwestern city. PARTICIPANTS: Purposeful sample of 12 adult (age range 29-73 years) members who had engaged in regular physical activity for at least 3 years.
METHODS: Data were collected on participants' perceptions of processes associated with physical activity maintenance. Grounded theory data analysis techniques were used to develop an understanding of participants' long-term physical activity adherence. RESULTS. Analysis revealed three themes organized around basic psychological need satisfaction: (1) Relatedness included receiving and giving support. (2) Competence included challenge and competition, managing weight, and strategies for health management. (3) Autonomy included confidence in the established routine, valuing fitness status, and feeling self-directed. The final theme of physically active self included the personal fit of an active lifestyle, identity as an active person, and attachment to physical activity as life enhancing.
CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that long-term physical activity adherence may be strengthened by promotion of the individual's basic psychological need satisfaction. Adherence is most likely to occur when the value of participation becomes internalized over time as a component of the physically active self.