Abstract

This study aims to investigate intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence the involvement of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) students to participate in physical activity. A total of 400 UKM students comprising 200 men and 200 women were used as the main respondents in this research. The questionnaire used to examine the intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors that influence involvement of students to perform physical activity was adapted from Exercise Motivations Inventory. The study found that the highest mean value of the intrinsic factors are health and fitness (M = 4.37), while for extrinsic factors are factors peers and friends (M = 3.97). The findings also show that there are significant differences in the involvement of intrinsic motivation factors motivated health and fitness (t = -5.05, p < 0.05) and body-related factors (t = -6.51, p < 0.05) by gender. As for the extrinsic motivation only the family (t = -6.98, p <0.05) showed significant differences by gender. Further, this study shows that intrinsic motivation body related (52%) is a motivating factor that contributed mostly to the impact of student involvement and as for extrinsic motivation factors shows that the role of the University (40%) is the highest factor contributing to student engagement. The findings of this study will hopefully help the University Sports Centre and UKM to provide activities, seminars and amenities to attract and provide an overview of the importance of a healthy culture among students.

Authors and Affiliations