Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although physical exercise is largely recommended, sedentary lifestyle is common in people with asthma. Understanding the motivation to exercise in adolescents with asthma may help to promote exercise-related behavior change. OBJECTIVES: To identify clusters based on Motivational Regulations (MR) and Basic Psychological Needs (BPN) for exercise and compare quality of life, asthma control, and disease severity across these clusters. METHODS: A cross-sectional and multicenter study in which adolescents with asthma were assessed for anthropometric measures, MR, and self-determination for exercise, as well as their perceptions regarding the fulfillment of autonomy, competence, and relatedness to exercise, quality of life, asthma control, and severity. Participants were classified by hierarchical cluster analysis based on MR and BPN. In addition, clusters were compared. RESULTS: A total of 144 participants with asthma aged 14 (SD: 2) years participated. Self-determination for physical exercise was 7.13 (7.88) points. Two clusters were identified: 1) More autonomous behavior and High Perceived Support (n=56) and 2) Less autonomous behavior and Low Perceived Support (n=88). Participants in Cluster 2 had worse quality of life than those in Cluster 1 [71 (SD: 15) vs 83 (SD: 15) points, respectively, P<0.0001] and a higher proportion of girls [50 (57%) vs 18 (32%); P=0.006, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the other variables between clusters. CONCLUSIONS: The behavioral profile based on MR and BPN was identified in adolescents with asthma through cluster analysis. Females showed a greater association with Cluster 2, characterized by less autonomous behavior and low perceived support, and this cluster can negatively impact quality of life.