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Healthcare
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Effects of Self-Control and Motivation in Exercise and Physical Health
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Effects of Self-Control and Motivation in Exercise and Physical Health

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 February 2026) | Viewed by 3471

Editor

Dr. Aimen Khacharem

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Laboratoire DeVisu, UVHC-University Polytechnic Hauts-de-France, CEDEX, 59313 Valenciennes, France
2. LIRTES-EA 7313, UPEC-Université Paris Est Créteil Val de Marne, 94000 Créteil, France
Interests: learning; motivation; digital video; pleasure; self-control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Maintaining an active lifestyle is integral to enhancing both physical and mental health. Central to successful exercise regimes are self-control and motivation, which are vital for consistent progress. This Special Issue aims to explore the profound impact of these psychological factors on exercise and overall health outcomes. We invite original research and comprehensive reviews that assess the effects of self-control and motivation on exercise, and their influence on combined mental and physical health improvements. We seek to deepen our understanding of how these factors contribute to health and wellbeing and identify strategies to enhance them.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating the impact of self-control and motivation on health and wellbeing.
  • Empirical studies (quantitative or qualitative) assessing the direct effects of motivation and self-control on physical and mental health.
  • Research exploring the relationship between self-control, motivation, and health enhancements over time.
  • Investigations into methods for fostering and maintaining motivation and self-control, including behavioral interventions or technological innovations.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Aimen Khacharem
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • self-control
  • self-regulation
  • motivation
  • exercise
  • wellbeing
  • physical and mental health

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 3204 KB  
Article
Acute Effects of Adding Self-Control Tasks to the Daily Mile on Subsequent Cognition and Enjoyment in Children
by Anna Dunn, Grace W. M. Walters, Ryan A. Williams, Karah J. Dring, Robert Needham, Simon B. Cooper and Ruth Boat
Healthcare 2026, 14(7), 939; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14070939 - 3 Apr 2026
Viewed by 482
Abstract
Background: Physical activity requiring self-control may yield greater post-activity cognitive improvements. Implementing such tasks within The Daily Mile could enhance cognition further while adding variety to the initiative. This study examined whether the inclusion of self-control tasks within The Daily Mile influences [...] Read more.
Background: Physical activity requiring self-control may yield greater post-activity cognitive improvements. Implementing such tasks within The Daily Mile could enhance cognition further while adding variety to the initiative. This study examined whether the inclusion of self-control tasks within The Daily Mile influences subsequent cognition and enjoyment. Methods: Participants, numbering 99 (10.2 ± 1.1 y), completed three trials (Daily Mile Normal, Daily Mile Self-Control, and resting), using a within-subject, order-balanced, crossover design. The Daily Mile Self-Control involved students completing tasks requiring self-control for 30 s every 2 min within The Daily Mile. Cognitive tests (Stroop test, Sternberg Paradigm, Visual Search test) were administered prior to, immediately following and 45 min following The Daily Mile and resting trials. During the trials, distance covered (m), average heart rate (beats·min−1) and physical activity enjoyment (PACES) were measured. Focus groups explored factors affecting enjoyment during The Daily Mile trials. The effects of physical activity vs. rest on cognitive function were examined first, followed by the effect of adding self-control tasks to The Daily Mile. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the Daily Mile trials on distance covered or physical activity enjoyment. However, average heart rate was significantly higher in The Daily Mile Self-Control compared to The Daily Mile Normal. Compared to rest, The Daily Mile had a positive effect on inhibitory control. Working-memory accuracy maintained following activity, but perceptual accuracy was briefly impaired. Following the addition of self-control tasks, working memory response times improved. However, accuracy on inhibitory control and perception declined immediately after activity, compared to The Daily Mile Normal. Thematic analysis indicated varied perceptions among participants, with some valuing the simplicity and control of The Daily Mile Normal, and others favoring The Daily Mile Self-Control due to the variety and cognitive challenge. Conclusions: Incorporating self-control tasks into The Daily Mile produced mixed cognitive and qualitative responses, compared to The Daily Mile Normal. This suggests that tailoring physical activity to individual preferences may optimize engagement and cognitive outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Self-Control and Motivation in Exercise and Physical Health)
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13 pages, 488 KB  
Article
Explaining Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health Through Motivation and Perceived Service Quality: A Structural Equation Model
by Vojko Vučković, Klemen Širok and Marta Bon
Healthcare 2026, 14(4), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14040478 - 13 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 681
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Understanding the determinants of physical activity (PA) and health outcomes requires integrating environmental and motivational perspectives. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study tested a sequential model in which perceived sport infrastructure service quality enhances exercise motivation, which subsequently increases PA and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Understanding the determinants of physical activity (PA) and health outcomes requires integrating environmental and motivational perspectives. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study tested a sequential model in which perceived sport infrastructure service quality enhances exercise motivation, which subsequently increases PA and leads to better self-rated health (SRT). Methods: A total of 546 recreational adult exercisers completed validated questionnaires assessing sport infrastructure service quality (SQAS), exercise motivation (MPAM-R), PA (IPAQ), and self-rated health. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the hypothesised relationships among variables. Results: The proposed sequential model was supported. Perceived service quality positively predicted exercise motivation (β = 0.255, p < 0.001), motivation significantly predicted PA (β = 0.266, p < 0.001), and PA was positively associated with self-rated health (β = 0.115, p < 0.005). Model fit indices indicated a good and acceptable fit to the data (CFI = 0.947, TLI = 0.935, NFI = 0.914, GFI = 0.931, RMSEA = 0.072, SRMR = 0.067, χ2/df = 3.85). Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of high-quality exercise infrastructure as a key environmental factor that supports motivational engagement and promotes healthier behaviour patterns. Interventions aimed at increasing PA and improving perceived health should address both environmental quality and motivational processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Self-Control and Motivation in Exercise and Physical Health)
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14 pages, 496 KB  
Article
Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Spanish Version of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire for Children (BREQ-3C): Analysis of Psychometric Properties
by Raquel Pastor-Cisneros, Jorge Carlos-Vivas, José Francisco López-Gil and María Mendoza-Muñoz
Healthcare 2025, 13(17), 2197; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172197 - 2 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1213
Abstract
Background/Objectives: In Spain, a high proportion of children do not meet the recommended daily levels of physical activity (PA), which highlights the urgent need to understand the motivational factors that could influence PA behavior. Self-Determination Theory is a widely used approach for assessing [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: In Spain, a high proportion of children do not meet the recommended daily levels of physical activity (PA), which highlights the urgent need to understand the motivational factors that could influence PA behavior. Self-Determination Theory is a widely used approach for assessing motivation toward exercise, employing instruments such as the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3). However, despite the cognitive and linguistic differences that limit its direct application, this tool has not yet been adapted for children aged 6–12 years. This study aimed to adapt the BREQ-3 for use with Spanish schoolchildren and to evaluate its validity and reliability in this age group. Methods: The BREQ-3 for children (BREQ-3C) was linguistically and culturally adapted. Comprehension was tested through cognitive interviews, and reliability was assessed via a test–retest with 125 Spanish schoolchildren. Statistical analyses: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach’s alpha, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to evaluate validity and reliability. Results: CFA supported the factorial structure of the adapted BREQ-3 for primary schoolchildren, showing acceptable model fit indices (chi-square minimum discrepancy/degrees of freedom (CMIN/df) = 1.552, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.053, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.891, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.870). Internal consistency ranged from poor to excellent for all items and the total score of the questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha (α): 0.535 to 0.911), except for items 3, 13, 20, and 21, where the internal consistency was unacceptable. Test–retest reliability was generally satisfactory, with ICC values indicating fair to excellent temporal stability (ICC: 0.248 to 0.911). The measurement error indicators (standard error of measurement percentage (SEM%) and minimal detectable change percentage (MDC%)) varied widely, particularly for the less reliable items. Most item scores were not significantly different between the test and retest groups, although items 2, 3, 5, 9, 17, 19, and 20 were significantly different. Conclusions: The BREQ-3C has promising psychometric properties for assessing exercise motivation in children aged 6–12 years. This tool shows potential for use in research, education, and health interventions to understand and promote physical activity motivation in primary schools. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Self-Control and Motivation in Exercise and Physical Health)
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