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Abstract

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(1): 4-24, 2017. Adult sport leagues provide opportunities for physical activity (PA), but little is known about adults’ commitment to recreational sports. We proposed two expanded versions of Scanlan and colleagues’ sport commitment model (SCM) to explore psychosocial factors related to adults’ participation in these leagues. Model 1 proposed athletic identity and social cohesion as additional predictors of commitment. Previous research found these variables to be positively related to commitment, but had not systematically examined them within the context of the SCM. We also explored participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as a behavioral manifestation of commitment. Model 2 explored athletic identity as a mediator between commitment and MVPA. Adult recreational soccer players (156 females, 196 males; M age = 29.5) completed valid measures following a game. Structural equation modeling revealed enjoyment and investments positively predicted commitment, and psychological commitment to soccer was indirectly related to weekly minutes of MVPA through the perceived importance of PA to self-identity. Players who reported greater enjoyment and invested more resources into participation reported greater resolve to continue playing. Players’ desire to remain involved in soccer reinforced the salience of PA to their identities, which was related to participation in MVPA. This study extends SCM research by examining factors underlying commitment to adult recreational team sports, and by demonstrating sport commitment is related to MVPA. Similar to previous research with elite athletes, the strongest predictors of commitment were enjoyment and personal investments. Further research is needed to examine the proposed link between commitment, athletic identity, and MVPA.

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