INTERNAL VERSUS EXTERNAL MOTIVATION FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN SEVENTH GRADE GIRLS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine if locus of control impacted adolescents girl's participation level in three different activities. Participants in the study were 12 or 13 year old females (n-41) from an affluent private girsl school in the southeastern United States. Rotter's Locus of Control scale was used to determine if the participants had an internal or external Locus of Control. Heart rate monitors were used to determine physical activity levels while participating in a fitness circuit, soccer and dance. A Likert scale questionnaire was administered to determine the participant's perceptions of their motivators. A repeated measure ANOVA was performed to check for significance in activity levels between groups. The internally motivated locus of control group had a higher average heart rate but was not significantly different from the externally motivated group. Peer influence and type of activity were identified as factors worthy of further study.