The Driving Force: Relationships between Motivation, Physical Activity, Resistance Training, and Years Sworn in Incumbent Deputy Sheriffs

In addition to the physical and mental benefits of physical activity (PA) and resistance training (RT), deputy sheriffs may also experience job-related benefits. However, incumbent deputy sheriffs and law enforcement officers tend to be less physically fit than recruits. As motivation is a key factor in PA, this lower fitness level may reflect motivation variations whether from a lack of fitness standards or a shift in priorities (i.e. shift work hours, family). To understand these variations, self-determination theory (SDT) characterizes motivation on a continuum ranging from external reasons (e.g. reward & punishment) to intrinsic reasons (e.g. enjoyment of PA). The primary purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between different motivations and participation in both PA and RT in deputy sheriffs. A secondary purpose examined how years sworn was related to PA and motivation. Deputy sheriffs (n=60; years sworn: 4.8±3.5) from one law enforcement agency completed a cross-sectional questionnaire assessing PA using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire with three added items for RT. Motivation was measured using the 24-item Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3) categorizing motivation ranging from external to intrinsic (external, introjected, identified, integrated, and intrinsic regulation) and amotivation. Pearson correlations were conducted to assess relationships between motivation, years sworn, PA, and RT. Spearman’s Rho correlations were used for amotivation and identified regulation as normality assumptions were not met. A positive relationship was shown between PA and identified (r=0.33, p=.01), integrated (r=0.32, p=.01), and intrinsic regulation (r=0.30, p=.02). Similarly, a positive relationship was shown between RT and introjected (r=0.29, p=.03), identified (r=0.48, p<.01), integrated (r=0.60, p<.01), and intrinsic regulation (r=0.43, p=.01). Years sworn was negatively associated with external regulation (r=-0.30, p=.02) and PA (r = -0.34, p=.01). In line with SDT, more intrinsic motives (personal satisfaction, alignment with values) were associated with PA. However, the longer time since a deputy sheriff was sworn was associated with lower PA and lower external regulation. These relationships may reflect a lack of fitness standards and absence of external rewards and punishments for fitness maintenance that were present as recruits. Further research should explore how to encourage PA and intrinsic motivation in deputy sheriffs, from how physical training is applied during academy and promoted when deputy sheriffs begin deployment.