ABSTRACT

We continue our review of motivation for physical activity through reviewing the study of self-perceptions of competence and confidence. Specifically, in this chapter we aim to:

notions of competence, how we assess competence, and different definitions of competence

● outline achievement goal perspectives and related theories as viable ways to study motivation in exercise

methods and issues ● present some alternative views on confidence relevant to the study of physical activity.

So far, we have discussed a number of issues associated with motivation for physical activity. Dominant theories where self-perception has been a central feature in the literature on physical activity are theories based on the constructs of self-efficacy, self-perceptions of worth and competence motivation, and, more recently, perceptions of success and definitions of achievement goals.