Physically active undergraduates: Motivational and emotional profiles.

The aim was to determine the motivational profiles - including variables from the theory of self-determination and emotional intelligence - of active undergraduates, and to examine their relationship with physical activity. : Six hundred and fifteen undergraduates participated in the study. Trait Meta-Mood Scale, Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale, Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire and Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire were administered. Cluster analysis was used to identify the motivational profiles. Two motivational profiles were found. One of the motivational profiles included the participants with high levels of satisfaction of the basic psychological needs and self-determined motivation; moderately high levels of emotional clarity and repair; and low levels of non-self-determined motivation. Further, this group showed the highest rates of physical practice than its counterpart. The combination of self-determination theory and emotional intelligence should be considered when examining adherence to physical activity.