Transformation of motivational loyalty of women aged 21–35 to group strength-oriented fitness programs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15802/2071-1476-2026-1-01Keywords:
motivational loyalty, women aged 21–35, group fitness, strength programs, autonomous motivation, NPS indexAbstract
Introduction. The low level of long-term engagement of women in early adulthood (21-35 years) in regular fitness sessions highlights the critical need to foster not only motivation but also sustainable motivational loyalty to physical activity. Particular attention is required to study the transition from extrinsically-driven motives to autonomous forms of motivation within systematically organized strength-oriented group classes.
Purpose. To scientifically substantiate and experimentally verify changes in the motivational structure, levels of emotional satisfaction, and loyalty indicators among women aged 21-35 during a 12-month strength-oriented group fitness program.
Methods. The study involved 50 women in early adulthood. Validated psychodiagnostic tools were utilized, including the Motivation for Physical Activity Measure-Revised (MPAM-R), Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3), and Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES-8), as well as the Net Promoter Score (NPS) to assess client loyalty. Data processing was performed using mathematical statistics.
Results. A statistically stable increase in autonomous forms of motivation was established, alongside a decrease in controlled regulation and an increased significance of health-related and intrinsic motives. A significant increase in emotional satisfaction with the training process and conscious participation in the sessions was observed. The integral loyalty index (NPS) rose from –4 to +38 points, indicating the formation of stable motivational commitment to strength-oriented fitness programs.
Conclusions. It has been proven that the systematic organization of strength-oriented group fitness classes, aimed at supporting autonomous motivation, ensures a qualitative transformation of the motivational profile of women aged 21-35 and the development of long-term motivational loyalty. The findings hold significant practical value for the design and optimization of health-enhancing fitness programs.
References
Mykytchyk O, Tsukanov O. Motyvatsiino-tsinnisni priorytety osib zriloho viku shchodo ozdorovcho-rekreatsiinoi rukhovoi aktyvnosti pid chas voiennoho stanu. Sportyvnyi Visnyk Prydniprovia. 2025;(2):40-51. Available from: https://svp.ust.edu.ua/article/view/349678
Verbovyi VP, Ravliuk II, Smuchok VIe, Kalynchuk LM. Priorytetni motyvy zhinok pershoho periodu zriloho viku shchodo zaniat fizychnymy vpravamy (na prykladi bellydance-fitnesu). Naukovyi chasopys NPU imeni MP Drahomanova. Seriia 15: Naukovo-pedahohichni problemy fizychnoi kultury (fizychna kultura i sport). 2021;3K(131):87-91. https://doi.org/10.31392/NPU-nc.series15.2021.2(130).09
Dziuba LV, Sydorchuk TV. Osoblyvosti motyvatsii zhinok pershoho periodu zriloho viku do zaniat fizychnoiu kulturoiu i sportom. Naukovyi chasopys Ukrainskoho derzhavnoho universytetu imeni Mykhaila Drahomanova. Seriia 15: Naukovo-pedahohichni problemy fizychnoi kultury (fizychna kultura i sport). 2025;2(168):48-52. https://doi.org/10.31392/UDU-nc.series15.2025.02(187).13
Pirohova KI. Motyvatsiini priorytety zhinok pershoho periodu zriloho viku shchodo ozdorovchykh zaniat akvafitnesom. Naukovyi chasopys Ukrainskoho derzhavnoho universytetu imeni Mykhaila Drahomanova. Seriia 15: Naukovo-pedahohichni problemy fizychnoi kultury (fizychna kultura i sport). 2023;6(158):112-116.
Prykhodko VV. Formuvannia motyvatsii osib zriloho viku do zaniat ozdorovcho-rekreatsiinoiu rukhovoiu aktyvnistiu. Fizychna kultura, sport ta zdorovia natsii. 2019;(7):105-112. Available from: https://vspu.net/fks/index.php/fks/article/view/774
Reyes-Molina D, Zapata-Lamana R, Bustos C, Mella-Norambuena J, Zañartu I, Chávez-Castillo Y, et al. Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3) for Motivation Towards Incidental Physical Activity. Behav Sci (Basel). 2025 Jan 23;15(2):114. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020114
Cid L, Monteiro D, Teixeira DS, et al. The Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3) Portuguese-Version: Evidence of Reliability, Validity and Invariance Across Gender. Front Psychol. 2018;9:1940. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01940
Ntoumanis N, Quested E, Reeve J, Ryan RM. Self-determination theory informed research for promoting physical activity: Contributions, debates, and future directions. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2021;52:101832. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1469029225000780
Imas Ye, Andreieva O, Kensytska I, Khrypko I. Formuvannia motyvatsii osib zriloho viku do zaniat ozdorovcho-rekreatsiinoiu rukhovoiu aktyvnistiu. Physical culture sports and health of the nation. 2019;7(26):64-73. https://doi.org/10.31652/2071-5285-2019-7-26-64-73
Danković G, Lazić A, Andrieieva O, et al. Effects of high-intensity interval training on physical fitness and body composition in recreationally active females: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2025;15:33982. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11809-x
Quested E, Kritz M, Hancox JE, Ntoumanis N, Thøgersen-Ntoumani C. Promoting Self-Determined Motivation for Physical Activity: From Theory to Intervention Work. Self-Determination Theory in Schools and Beyond. 2021. Available from: https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021_QuestedKritzEtAl_PromotingSelfDetermined.pdf
Battistelli A, Montani F, Guicciardi M, Bertinato L. La régulation du comportement d’exercice et les raisons de l’activité physique: La validation italienne des questionnaires BREQ et MPAM-R. Psychol Fr. 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psfr.2014.10.003
Albuquerque MR, Lopes MC, de Paula JJ, Faria LO, Pereira ET, Costa VT. Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the MPAM-R to Brazilian Portuguese and Proposal of a New Method to Calculate Factor Scores. Front Psychol. 2017;8:261. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00261
Mullen SP, Olson EA, Phillips SM, et al. Measuring enjoyment of physical activity in older adults: invariance of the physical activity enjoyment scale (paces) across groups and time. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011;8:103. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-8-103
Decoding the Net Promoter Score: Origins, Expansion, and Future Impacts [Internet]. DragnSurvey; 2026. Available from: https://www.dragnsurvey.com/blog/en/decoding-the-net-promoter-score-origins-expansion-and-future-impacts/
Teixeira PJ, Carraça EV, Markland D, Silva MN, Ryan RM. Exercise, physical activity, and self-determination theory: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2012;9:78. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-9-78
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright of the published papers and grant to the publisher the non-exclusive right to publish the article, to be cited as its original publisher in case of reuse, and to distribute it in all forms and media. Articles will be distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.
Authors can enter the separate, additional contractual arrangements for non-exclusive distribution of the published paper (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
