Author(s)

Xiangli Gu

Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, Recreation, University of North Texas, Denton, USA.

This review paper explores the motivational processes in physical education related to physical activity and health-related quality of life among children and adolescents. First, we review the existing body of literature relating to children’s health-related quality of life. Next, we present the expectancy-value model of achievement choice as a framework for investigating how children’s motivation in physical activity settings interacts with physical activity and health-related quality of life. In the following section, we discuss social-contextual factors within the motivational climate, and how they can enhance or constrain decisions to be physically active and influence health-related quality of life. We conclude by identifying emerging research issues, implications for practice, and suggestions for future research directions.

Expectancy-Value Model, Motivational Climates, Quality of Life, Physical Activity

Gu, X. (2017) Understanding Children’s Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life: An Expectancy-Value Approach. Advances in Physical Education, 7, 140-155. doi: 10.4236/ape.2017.72013.