The Concept and Measurement of Exercise/Athletic Identity

• Main Authors: Pei-Shu Hsieh, 謝沛書
• Other Authors: none
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/08081576028308366919

碩士 === 國立臺灣體育學院 === 休閒運動管理研究所 === 92 === Abstract 　　Two identity-related concepts, namely athletic identity and exercise identity, have been associated with behaviors in physical activity domain by researchers. B. Brewer and colleagues (1993) argued that a strong athletic identity may influence individual’s adaptive behaviors in sport in both positive and negative ways. D. Anderson’s research (1994;1995;1998;2001) showed that exercise identity may have predictive value of exercise behavior. It has been suggested in the literature, however, a further examination backgrounds is needed. In addition, in a culture in which the concepts of athletic (sport) and exercise are ambiguous and difficult to be divided (e.g., Taiwanese/Chinese), athletic and exercise identities may be of the same concept. This study examined the structure of athletic and exercise identities with a sample form a Taiwanese/Chinese cultural background. Chinese versions of both Athletic Identity Measurement Scale and Exercise Identity Scale were administered to 200 adults. In the first stage of date analysis, factor analyses revealed that both athletic and exercise identities are one-dimensional in structure and these two concepts are strongly associated (r=.92. p<.001). In the second stage of analysis, items from the two scales were combined and new items were added for a more comprehensive analysis. Factor analysis showed a 4-factor solution, including positive affect, exclusivity/negative affect, athlete identity, and importance. It seems that for Taiwanese/Chinese, the meanings of athletic and exercise identities are very much the same. Their meanings are interpreted differently only when it is referred to sport competition or performance evaluation (i.e., athlete identity). Additionally, social identity a component of athletic identity found in Western samples, was not isolated out in this sample. It is possible that in Taiwanese/Chinese culture, social identity is internalized into other aspects of self-identity.