Effect of Goal Setting on Motivation and Adherence in a Six‐Week Exercise Program

Abstract The aim of the study was to utilize a goal‐setting intervention to examine the impact on motivation and adherence during a six‐week exercise program. Sixty recreational exercisers (M age = 31.17, SD age = 11.77; 33 Males; 27 Females) were randomly assigned to a process goal group (n = 15), an outcome goal group (n = 15), and a no‐goal control group (n = 30). Participants completed the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (McAuley et al., 1989) at the beginning and end of the six‐week exercise program and adherence was monitored throughout the program and at three and six months. Repeated Measures ANOVA results indicated that the participants in the process goal group scored significantly higher interest/enjoyment and perceived choice, significantly lower pressure/tension, and had significantly greater adherence compared to the outcome goal and control groups