Exercise Motives and Gains Inventory (EMGI)

Abstract

The Exercise Motives and Gains Inventory (EMGI), an extension of the widely used Exercise Motivations Inventory – 2 (EMI-2), is a sophisticated psychological instrument designed to assess the determinants and outcomes of participation in physical activity. It provides a comprehensive, multidimensional measure by dividing the assessment into two primary sections: the Motives section, which evaluates an individual’s reasons for exercising, and the Gains section, which assesses the perceived benefits or psychological reinforcement derived from exercise.

Developed primarily by Markland and Ingledew, the EMGI is crucial for researchers in health psychology and exercise science seeking to understand the motivational factors that predict adherence and long-term engagement. The Motives section identifies 14 distinct subscales, ranging from intrinsic factors like enjoyment and revitalization to extrinsic factors such as appearance and social recognition, often utilized within the framework of Self-determination Theory.

Keywords

Exercise motivation, psychological scale, physical activity, exercise behavior, behavioral regulation, exercise gains, EMI-2, motives, health psychology, self-determination.

Authors

David A. Markland, L. Hardy, David K. Ingledew, S. S. Strömmer.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the EMGI is twofold: first, to systematically quantify the heterogeneous reasons underlying an individual’s decision to engage in or maintain regular physical exercise (Motives); and second, to measure the subjectively experienced outcomes or benefits resulting from that participation (Gains). This dual structure allows for a deeper exploration of the relationship between initial motivation and sustained behavioral reinforcement.

By assessing 14 distinct motivational factors, the scale enables practitioners to identify specific barriers or facilitators for exercise adherence. For research purposes, the EMGI helps test theoretical models, such as those linking motivational quality to psychological health and persistence in fitness activities.

Construct

The EMGI measures two interrelated psychological constructs: Exercise Motives and Exercise Gains. Exercise Motives represent the cognitive and affective reasons an individual cites for engaging in physical activity. These motives span intrinsic regulation (e.g., enjoyment, satisfaction) and various forms of extrinsic regulation (e.g., social pressure, health mandate, appearance concerns).

Exercise Gains measure the individual’s retrospective perception of the positive outcomes achieved through exercise. This section helps determine if the reported benefits align with the initial motives, providing crucial data on the reinforcing efficacy of exercise behavior. The structure of the Motives section is strongly rooted in motivational psychology, aiming to provide a nuanced profile rather than a single score.

Validity

The validity of the EMI-2 (Motives section) and the subsequent EMGI has been established through extensive psychometric testing. Studies confirm strong factorial validity, demonstrating that the 14 subscales are empirically distinct and reliably measure the intended constructs. Markland and Ingledew (1997) specifically confirmed the factorial invariance of the scale across gender, suggesting its robust applicability regardless of sex.

Construct validity is further supported by the scale’s predictable relationships with other relevant variables, such as body image dissatisfaction, stages of change models, and measures of self-determination. The inclusion of the Gains section in the EMGI (Ingledew, Markland & Strömmer, 2013) provided incremental validity by demonstrating that congruence between motives and gains is a significant predictor of continued exercise participation.

Reliability

The internal consistency of the Motives section subscales, measured using Cronbach’s alpha, is generally high to excellent, indicating that items within each subscale reliably measure the same underlying motivational factor.

Reported internal consistency (alpha coefficients) for the Motives Section subscales:

• Stress management (0.916)
• Revitalization (0.832)
• Enjoyment (0.899)
• Challenge (0.857)
• Social recognition (0.878)
• Affiliation (0.91)
• Competition (0.954)
• Ill-health avoidance (0.901)
• Positive health (0.877)
• Weight management (0.914)
• Appearance (0.859)
• Strength (0.864)
• Nimbleness (0.899)
• Health pressures (0.686)

The high alpha values across most scales, particularly Competition (0.954) and Affiliation (0.91), confirm the reliability of the instrument for academic and clinical use.

Factor Analysis

Factor analytic procedures, including both exploratory and confirmatory techniques, were essential in developing the stable, 14-factor structure of the Exercise Motives section. This structure represents a highly differentiated model of exercise motivation, moving beyond simplified motivational categories.

The 14 distinct factors and their corresponding items (from the Motives Section) are:

1. Stress management (items 6, 20, 34, 46)
2. Revitalization (items 3, 17, 31)
3. Enjoyment (items 9, 23, 37, 48)
4. Challenge (items 14, 28, 42, 51)
5. Social recognition (items 5, 19, 33, 45)
6. Affiliation (items 10, 24, 38, 49)
7. Competition (items 12, 26, 40, 50)
8. Health pressures (items 11, 25, 39)
9. Ill-health avoidance (items 2, 16, 30)
10. Positive health (items 7, 21, 35)
11. Weight management (items 1, 15, 29, 43)
12. Appearance (items 4, 18, 32, 44)
13. Strength (items 8, 22, 36, 47)
14. Nimbleness (items 13, 27, 41)

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report psychological inventory.

Format: The full EMGI contains 102 items (51 Motives items and 51 Gains items). Responses are captured using a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 = “Not at all true for me” to 4 = “Very true for me”.

Language Available: English (Primary language).

Population Group: Individuals who exercise regularly or are considering exercise, often utilized in studies focusing on exercise adherence and sports psychology.

Age Group: Typically utilized with adolescents and adults.

Population Details: The scale has been validated across diverse populations, including students, general exercisers, and specific groups such as aerobics participants and weight-watcher exercisers.

Test Methodology: Respondents complete two sections. The Motives section assesses current or potential reasons for exercise (“Personally, I exercise (or might exercise)…”). The Gains section assesses retrospective experience of exercise benefits (“My personal experience of exercise has been that…”). Subscale scores are calculated by averaging item responses within each factor.

Keywords

Exercise psychology, motivational profiles, physical fitness, self-determination theory, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, body image, behavioral change.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not specified in source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: [email protected] (David A. Markland)

Correspondence Address: Not specified in source material (Primary affiliations are with Bangor University, UK).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The initial concept (EMI) was introduced in 1993 (Markland & Hardy). The revised factor structure (EMI-2) was established in 1997 (Markland & Ingledew). The combined EMGI, incorporating both motives and gains, was formally published in 2013 (Ingledew, Markland & Strömmer). The instrument is typically available for non-commercial academic use. Researchers are advised to contact the corresponding author, Dr. David Markland, for formal permissions, as noted in the source documentation, several linked resources are designated “For personal use only.”

Reference’s

• Ingledew, D.K., Hardy, L. and de Sousa, K. (1995). Body shape dissatisfaction and exercise motivations. Journal of Sports Sciences, 13, 60. abstract
• Ingledew, D.K. & Markland, D. (2008). The role of motives in exercise participation. Psychology and Health, 23, 807-828. abstract. The original PDF can be downloaded here: full text (pdf) (For personal use only)
• Ingledew, D.K., Markland, D., & Ferguson, E. (2009). Three levels of exercise motivation. Applied Psychology: Health and Wellbeing, 1, 336-355. abstract. The original PDF can be downloaded here: full text (pdf) (For personal use only)
• Ingledew, D.K.I., Markland, D. and Medley, A. (1998). Exercise motives and Stages of Change. Journal of Health Psychology, 3, 477-489. abstract. The original PDF can be downloaded here: full text (pdf) (For personal use only)
• Ingledew, D.K., Markland, D., & Strömmer, S.S. (2013). Elucidating the Roles of Motives and Gains in Exercise Participation. Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology, 3, 116-131. abstract. The original PDF can be downloaded here: full text (pdf) (For personal use only)
• Ingledew, D.K. & Sullivan, G. (2002). Effects of body mass and body image on exercise motives in adolescence. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 3, 323-338. abstract. The original PDF can be downloaded here: full text (pdf) (For personal use only)
• Markland, D. (1999). Internally informational versus internally controlling exercise motives and exercise enjoyment: The mediating role of self-determination. In P. Parisi, F. Pigozzi, & G. Prinzi (Eds.) Sport Science ’99 in Europe. Proceedings of the 4th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Rome: University Institute of Motor Sciences. abstract
• Markland, D. and Hardy, L. (1993). The Exercise Motivations Inventory: Preliminary development and validity of a measure of individuals’ reasons for participation in regular physical exercise. Personality & Individual Differences, 15, 289-296. abstract. The original PDF can be downloaded here: full text (pdf) (For personal use only)
• Markland, D. & Ingledew, D.K. (1997). The measurement of exercise motives: Factorial validity and invariance across gender of a revised Exercise Motivations Inventory. British Journal of Health Psychology, 2, 361-376. abstract. The original PDF can be downloaded here: full text (pdf) (For personal use only)
• Markland, D., Ingledew, D.K., Hardy, L. and Grant, L. (1992). A comparison of the exercise motivations of aerobics participants and weight-watcher exercisers. Journal of Sports Sciences, 10, 609-610. abstract

Items of the Exercise Motives and Gains Inventory (EMGI)

Motives Section

Personally, I exercise (or might exercise)…

1. To stay slim
2. To avoid ill-health
3. Because it makes me feel good
4. To help me look younger
5. To show my worth to others
6. To give me space to think
7. To have a healthy body
8. To build up my strength
9. Because I enjoy the feeling of exerting myself
10. To spend time with friends
11. Because my doctor advised me to exercise
12. Because I like trying to win in physical activities
13. To stay/become more agile
14. To give me goals to work towards
15. To lose weight
16. To prevent health problems
17. Because I find exercise invigorating
18. To have a good body
19. To compare my abilities with other peoples’
20. Because it helps to reduce tension
21. Because I want to maintain good health
22. To increase my endurance
23. Because I find exercising satisfying in and of itself
24. To enjoy the social aspects of exercising
25. To help prevent an illness that runs in my family
26. Because I enjoy competing
27. To maintain flexibility
28. To give me personal challenges to face
29. To help control my weight
30. To avoid heart disease
31. To recharge my batteries
32. To improve my appearance
33. To gain recognition for my accomplishments
34. To help manage stress
35. To feel more healthy
36. To get stronger
37. For enjoyment of the experience of exercising
38. To have fun being active with other people
39. To help recover from an illness/injury
40. Because I enjoy physical competition
41. To stay/become flexible
42. To develop personal skills
43. Because exercise helps me to burn calories
44. To look more attractive
45. To accomplish things that others are incapable of
46. To release tension
47. To develop my muscles
48. Because I feel at my best when exercising
49. To make new friends
50. Because I find physical activities fun, especially when competition is involved
51. To measure myself against personal standards

Gains Section

My personal experience of exercise has been that…

1. I have lost weight through exercising
2. I have found the experience of exercising enjoyable
3. I have been able to develop personal skills
4. I have found exercising satisfying in and of itself
5. I have stayed/become more agile through exercise
6. It has allowed me to accomplish things that others are incapable of
7. It has helped me to maintain flexibility
8. I have found physical activities fun, especially when competition was involved
9. I have made new friends through exercise
10. It has helped me to have a better body
11. It has helped me to get stronger
12. It has enabled me to stay slim
13. It has given me personal challenges to face
14. I have felt at my best when exercising
15. It has reduced my risk of heart disease
16. It has helped me to reduce tension
17. I have followed my doctor’s advice by exercising
18. I have been able to enjoy competing
19. It has helped me to have a healthy body
20. I have been able to develop my muscles
21. I have been able to manage stress through exercising
22. I have increased my endurance
23. I have been able to stay/become flexible
24. I have been able to avoid ill-health
25. It has allowed me to compare my abilities with other peoples’
26. It has given me space to think
27. It has allowed me to spend time with friends
28. It has helped me to look more attractive
29. It has given me goals to work towards
30. I have built up my strength through exercising
31. It has allowed me to measure myself against personal standards
32. I have been able to enjoy physical competition
33. It has helped me to maintain good health
34. I have been able to prevent health problems
35. I have liked trying to win in physical activities
36. It has helped control my weight
37. It has helped me to recharge my batteries
38. It has helped me to recover from an illness/injury
39. I have felt more healthy
40. I have had fun being active with other people
41. I have gained recognition for my accomplishments
42. I have been able to improve my appearance
43. I have been able to show my worth to others
44. I have released tension by exercising
45. I have felt good through exercising
46. It has helped me to burn calories
47. I have enjoyed the feeling of exerting myself
48. It has helped me to look younger
49. It has helped reduce the risk of an illness that runs in my family
50. I have found exercise invigorating
51. I have enjoyed the social aspects of exercising