Keywords
How to Cite
Abstract
Insufficient physical activity among adolescents represents a relevant public health concern, associated with physical and psychosocial risks during critical stages of development. In this context, motivational factors and extracurricular educational environments become relevant for understanding participation in physically active behaviors. The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between motivation based on Self-Determination Theory, participation in extracurricular dance activities, and physical activity levels in adolescents. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted with an intentional sample of 100 students aged 12 to 15 years from an educational institution in Ecuador. Motivation toward physical activity was assessed using a questionnaire based on Self-Determination Theory, while physical activity levels were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (IPAQ-A). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and independent samples t-tests were applied for data analysis. The results showed positive and significant associations between intrinsic motivation and identified regulation with weekly physical activity levels (r = 0.43 and r = 0.39; p < .01), whereas amotivation showed a negative association (r = ?0.35; p < .01). Additionally, students participating in extracurricular dance activities reported higher levels of self-determined motivation and greater physical activity. The findings suggest that self-determined motivation and participation in extracurricular dance activities are associated with higher physical activity levels among adolescents.
References
Amatriain-Fernández, S., Murillo-Rodríguez, E. S., Gronwald, T., Machado, S., & Budde, H. (2020). Benefits of physical activity and physical exercise on psychological health. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(1), S264–S266. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000643
Andrade do Nascimento Júnior, J. R., Vissoci, J. R. N., Vieira, L. F., & Vieira, J. L. L. (2020). Motivational climate and self-determined motivation in youth sport participation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17239022
Aranceta-Bartrina, J., Gianzo-Citores, M., & Pérez-Rodrigo, C. (2020). Prevalence of overweight and obesity in youth populations. Anales de Pediatría, 92(3), 173–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anpedi.2019.08.006
Aznar-Ballesta, A., Cachón-Zagalaz, J., & Valdivia-Moral, P. (2023). Self-determined motivation as a predictor of physical activity in adolescents. Sustainability, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043254
Aznar-Ballesta, A., Soriano-Maldonado, A., & Guillamón, A. R. (2021). Physical activity patterns and sedentary behaviour in adolescents: A systematic review. Children, 8(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/children8070546
Barbosa Cano, M., & Gómez-Baya, D. (2025). Self-determination theory-based interventions in physical education and adolescent motivation. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 5(3).
Bull, F. C., Al-Ansari, S. S., Biddle, S., Borodulin, K. (2020). World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(24), 1451–1462. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-102955
Cachón-Zagalaz, J., Sanabrias-Moreno, D., & Lara-Sánchez, A. J. (2023). Motivation and physical activity in adolescents based on self-determination theory: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021203
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Physical activity guidelines for school-aged children and adolescents. https://www.cdc.gov
Guthold, R., Stevens, G. A., Riley, L. M., & Bull, F. C. (2020). Global trends in insufficient physical activity among adolescents. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(1), 23–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(19)30323-2
Koch, S. C., Riege, R. F., Tisborn, K., Biondo, J., Martin, L., & Beelmann, A. (2021). Effects of dance movement therapy and dance on psychological outcomes: A meta-analysis. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2021.101778
Ministerio de Educación del Ecuador. (2024). Lineamientos para la promoción de actividad física en el sistema educativo ecuatoriano. MINEDUC.
Quiroga Murcia, C., Kreutz, G., Clift, S., & Bongard, S. (2020). Shall we dance? Perceived benefits of dancing on well-being. Arts & Health, 12(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2018.1504600
Roca-Amat, J., & García-Alandete, J. (2024). Dance practice and psychological well-being in adolescents: Associations with emotional regulation and self-esteem. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1298765
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101860
Standage, M., & Ryan, R. M. (2021). Self-determination theory in physical education and sport psychology. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 43(2), 119–129. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2020-0018
Vargas Anaya, M., & Mazón Sánchez, M. (2021). Dance programs and psychosocial development in adolescents. Retos, 42, 357–365. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v42i0.87541
World Health Organization. (2024). Global status report on physical activity 2024. WHO Press.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Luis Alberto León Castro, Nancy Marcela Cárdenas Cordero