Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Health, Human Performance and Recreation

Advisor/Mentor

Dr. Anqi Deng

Committee Member

Dr. Erin Hickey

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between physical activity, exercise motivation, and mental well-being among 48 undergraduate students at the University of Arkansas. Guided by Self-Determination Theory, the study used survey data to measure depression, anxiety, physical activity, and open-ended exercise motivation responses. Motivation responses were coded as autonomous or controlled.

Results showed that physical activity was weakly and negatively related to depression and anxiety, but these relationships were not statistically significant. There were also no significant differences in mental health between autonomous and controlled motivation groups, and motivation did not significantly predict mental health outcomes in regression analyses. Overall, the findings suggest that physical activity and exercise motivation were not strongly associated with mental health in this sample, though the results may have been influenced by the small sample size and limited variability.

Keywords

exercise; physical activity; mental health; anxiety; depression; college students

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