Low levels of physical activity (PA) during adolescence contribute to obesity and poor health outcomes in adolescence, and these associations endure into adulthood. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between motives for PA and the level of PA among adolescent boys and girls. We obtained data regarding motives for PA and frequency of PA in 2010 via the Health Behavior in School-aged Children cross-sectional study in the Czech and Slovak Republics (n = 9018, mean age = 13.6, 49% boys). Respondents answered questions about their motives for PA and the frequency of their PA. Motives for PA were assessed using 13 items, which were structured in four groups. We explored the association between the motives for PA and sufficient PA using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age, and separately for boys and girls. "Good child" motives and Achievement motives were significantly associated with sufficient PA among both boys and girls. Health motives were associated with sufficient PA only among boys, and Social motives were associated with sufficient PA only among girls. Motives for PA were associated with the level of PA, and this association was partially gender dependent. These gender differences should be considered in interventions focusing on enhancement of PA.

Department of Community and Occupational Health University Medical Center Groningen University of Groningen A Deusinglaan 1 9713 AV Groningen The Netherlands

Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health Medical Faculty Safarik University Tr SNP 1 Kosice 04011 Slovakia

Institute of Active Living Faculty of Physical Culture Palacky University in Olomouc Tr Miru 115 Olomouc 77111 Czech Republic

Institute of Health Psychology Medical Faculty Safarik University Tr SNP 1 Kosice 04011 Slovakia

Olomouc University Social Health Institute Palacky University Olomouc Tr Miru 115 Olomouc 77111 Czech Republic

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