Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the relationship between different personal characteristics of adolescents (gender, age, body mass index BMI), regular practice) and the motivation or barriers that determine the practice of physical exercise. A stratified probability sampling was carried out on 852 Compulsory and Postcompulsory Secondary Education students aged 11 to 18 years (M: 14.9; SD: 1.75), who answered the Report on Motives for the Practice of Physical Exercise (AMPEF), and the Self-report of Barriers for the Practice of Physical Exercise (ABPEF). The data obtained shows important differences in motivation and barriers to the practice of physical exercise. Furthermore, the results also suggest that as age advances, motivation decreases and barriers to the practice of physical exercise increase, a higher BMI increases motivation and barriers, and regular practice of physical exercise improves motivation and decreases physical activity barriers. It is concluded that the results obtained may be of interest in the design of healthy programs for prevention or intervention processes in adolescent populations.