[Physical activity in diabetes: an impossible mission or a motivational question?]

Abstract

Pulling from self-determination theory (SDT) and motivational interviewing (MI), this article sought to present contemporary frameworks for understanding and promoting human motivation as useful tools for health professionals aiming to facilitate adoption and adherence to physical activity, presenting empirical evidence for its use. Practical strategies that may be used by a health professional to create an autonomy-supportive, well-structured, and interpersonally involved exercise counseling environment, more likely to support self-determined motivation, also are presented. Combining the strong theoretical underpinnings of SDT and the strong clinical base of MI should allow for much progress in developing the kind of motivation required to initiate and maintain exercise behaviors over the long term. These relatively simple and straightforward principles can be incorporated into existing approaches currently used by professionals who desire to improve their effectiveness, enhancing positive outcomes in terms of exercise adoption, adherence, and well-being;