Vidéo psycho finale .mov

This video presents the role of motivation in physical activity among older adults.

Motivation is defined as the set of internal and external forces that influence engagement, direction, and persistence in a behavior. However, a distinction is made between autonomous motivation, which refers to voluntary commitment based on pleasure or personal interest, and amotivation, which corresponds to a lack of motivation.

With advancing age, the reasons for being motivated evolve. Older adults are generally less driven by appearance or performance, and more by health, well-being, and enjoyment. Moreover, we observe a decline in physical activity after the age of 70, which makes motivation essential for maintaining an active lifestyle.

Two scientific studies support this idea. The first, conducted by Maillor, Becquard, and Perrot in 2018 and published in Gérontologie et société, shows that pleasure is a key factor in physical activity among older adults. The second, conducted by Stephan, Boiché, and Le Scanff in 2010 and published in Psychology of Women Quarterly, shows that individuals with autonomous motivation are more likely to maintain their physical activity, whereas those experiencing amotivation are more likely to drop out.

These results show that motivation plays a central role in maintaining physical activity and contributes to healthy aging.