The aim of the present study was threefold. Firstly, it investigated whether a general
measure or specific measure of motivational orientation was better in describing the
relationship between motivation and exercise behaviour. Secondly, it examined the
relationship between the four most popular indirect methods of body composition
assessment and physical activity and exercise patterns. Thirdly, the interaction between
motivation and body composition on physical activity and exercise behaviour was
explored in a sample of 275 Filipino male and female students. Males were found to
have higher levels of exercise whereas females had higher levels of physical activity.
Furthermore, general self-motivation together with body weight and percentage body
fat were found to be the best predictor of exercise behaviour whereas the
tension/pressure subscale of the ‘Intrinsic Motivation Inventory’ (IMI) was the best
predictor of levels of physical activity. However, significant gender differences were
observed. That is, for the males only self-motivation and for the females only body
weight and BMI predicted exercise behaviour. Also, tension/pressure predicted physical
activity levels for the females but not the males. No inverse relationship was found
between the four body composition measures and exercise and physical activity
behaviour. The results support the notion that the psychobiological approach might be
particularly relevant for high intensity exercise situations but also highlights some
important gender differences. Finally, the results of this study emphasise the need for
more cross-cultural research.