摘要：Sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest problems of modern society. If we want to change this, and to encourage people to embrace an active lifestyle, it is necessary to investigate reasons why do people exercise. But, it is not possible to have the complete picture of motivational structure if we do not investigate motivation of those who do not exercise at all, or those people who exercise only temporarily and irregularly that is the subject of this investigation. The aim of this study was to establish motivational structures and to investigate gender differences between 41 men and 39 women, 18-35 years old, who are periodically engaged in recreational activities. The Croatian version of Exercise motivation inventory (EMI-2) was applied to evaluate 14 motives: weight management, ill-health avoidance, revitalization, appearance, social recognition, stress management, positive health, strength, enjoyment, affiliation, competition, nimbleness, and challenge. Results showed medium intensity of participants' motivation, and significant differences were obtained on 6 motives. Women periodically exercise because of health, nimbleness and weight control; the least important reasons for them are competition and social recognition. The male participants are most motivated by strenght achievement, health and nibleness and least important motives for them are health pressure and social pressure.
关键词：motivation; recreational exercise; sport; women; men
