Motivation for Physical Activity Engagement on Self-Esteem Based on Gender among IPTA Students

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the motivation of physical activity engagement on self-esteem based on gender among IPTA students. The respondents were 425 Malay students from UiTM Seremban 3, enrolled in the degree from three faculties. The respondents are aged 18 to 25. This research was carried out quantitatively through surveys. The “Motivations for Physical Activity Measure (MPAM-R)” was used to design a questionnaire for exploring motivations for physical activity and self-esteem; the “Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale” was utilized to collect data from the respondent. The questionnaire items for this study included five criteria regarding fitness motivation, seven elements regarding to interest or enjoyment motivation, seven elements regarding competence or challenge motivation, five elements regarding social motivation, six elements regarding appearance motivation, and a total of ten questions applicable to self-esteem. The collected data were analyzed with statistical methods that are both descriptive and inferential. The independent T-test findings have been used to answer the research questions about the motivation of physical activity engagement on self- esteem among IPTA students based on male and female students. The results demonstrate that there was a significant difference in fitness, interest or enjoyment, competence or challenge, and social or appearance motives for activity engagement between male and female among IPTA students. Meanwhile, the result showed that there was a significant difference in motivation for physical activity engagement, but it also revealed that there was no significant difference in self-esteem between males and females among IPTA students