TY - JOUR

T1 - Development and initial validation of the volition in exercise questionnaire (VEQ)

AU - Elsborg, Peter

AU - Wikman, Johan Michael

AU - Nielsen, Glen

AU - Tolver, Anders

AU - Elbe, Anne-Marie

N1 - CURIS 2017 NEXS 100

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - The present study describes the development and validation of an instrument to measure volition in the exercise context. Volition describes an individual’s self-regulatory mental processes that are responsible for taking and maintaining a desirable action (e.g., exercising regularly). The scale structure was developed in an exploratory factor analysis which resulted in a reliable structure of the following six factors: Volitional Inhibition — Reasons, Volitional Inhibition — Postponing Training, Volitional Facilitation — Self-Confidence, Volitional Inhibition — Unrelated Thoughts, Volitional Inhibition — Approval From Others, and Volitional Facilitation — Coping with Failure. A sound theoretical explanation for these six factors is based on the Personal System Interaction Theory. This six-factor structure was also confirmed in a new sample in a confirmatory factor analysis, delivering an 18-item questionnaire with strong model fit and good internal consistency. In addition, the Volition in Exercise Questionnaire showed convergent validity because it was able to predict exercise participation. It showed incremental validity by explaining additional variance to the Sport Motivation Scale’s well-established predictors of exercise participation.

AB - The present study describes the development and validation of an instrument to measure volition in the exercise context. Volition describes an individual’s self-regulatory mental processes that are responsible for taking and maintaining a desirable action (e.g., exercising regularly). The scale structure was developed in an exploratory factor analysis which resulted in a reliable structure of the following six factors: Volitional Inhibition — Reasons, Volitional Inhibition — Postponing Training, Volitional Facilitation — Self-Confidence, Volitional Inhibition — Unrelated Thoughts, Volitional Inhibition — Approval From Others, and Volitional Facilitation — Coping with Failure. A sound theoretical explanation for these six factors is based on the Personal System Interaction Theory. This six-factor structure was also confirmed in a new sample in a confirmatory factor analysis, delivering an 18-item questionnaire with strong model fit and good internal consistency. In addition, the Volition in Exercise Questionnaire showed convergent validity because it was able to predict exercise participation. It showed incremental validity by explaining additional variance to the Sport Motivation Scale’s well-established predictors of exercise participation.

KW - Faculty of Science

KW - Physical activity

KW - Self-regulation

KW - Motivation

KW - Psychometrics

U2 - 10.1080/1091367X.2016.1251436

DO - 10.1080/1091367X.2016.1251436

M3 - Journal article

VL - 21

SP - 57

EP - 68

JO - Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science

JF - Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science

SN - 1091-367X

IS - 2

ER -