Motivation, Physical Activity, and Affect in Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors: An Ambulatory Assessment Approach.

This article investigates the real-time relationships among motivation, physical activity, and affect in community-dwelling stroke survivors using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and accelerometry. The study found that greater autonomous motivation—defined as self-determined motivation including intrinsic and identified regulation—was associated with increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, reduced sedentary behavior, lower depressed affect, and higher positive affect. Conversely, controlled motivation—driven by external pressures—was linked to greater depressed affect but not to physical activity levels. Physical activity intensity was momentarily associated with increased positive affect but not with depressed affect, and motivation did not moderate the relationship between physical activity and affect. These findings suggest that fostering autonomous motivation may be beneficial for promoting physical activity and psychological well-being among stroke survivors returning to the community.