Features of motivation of men of the first period of mature age to participate in functional training programs

Abstract

Abstract: The article addresses the issue of motivation among early adulthood men (aged 22–35) to engage in functional training within the context of modern challenges such as sedentary lifestyles, heavy professional and family workloads, and the need to maintain psychophysiological resilience. The relevance of the study is justified by the growing proportion of adults with insufficient physical activity both globally and in Ukraine, which calls for the search for accessible and motivationally attractive forms of health-related recreational physical activity. Functional training is defined as a modern and integrative tool for developing physical qualities and psycho-emotional stability, combining both instrumental-health and social-motivational components. The aim of the article was to identify and systematize motivational factors driving participation in functional training among early adulthood men, to reveal barriers that hinder initiation or regularity of training, and to develop practical recommendations for designing motivation-oriented programs in fitness clubs and the university environment. The study involved 28 respondents who regularly attend functional training sessions at the Sport Life fitness chain. A questionnaire was applied using a 5-point Likert scale along with quantitative and qualitative analysis of responses, which enabled a comprehensive assessment of motivational and barrier structures. The results showed that the leading motives were health improvement (85.7%), increased physical fitness (71.4%), development of basic physical qualities (64.3%), and weight control/body shaping (53.6%). A considerable share of respondents emphasized stress relief and enhancement of emotional tone (39.3%), while social interaction played a secondary role (21.4%). Further analysis identified six main groups of motivational factors: health-oriented motives, performance and progress control, social factors, coach’s influence and training organization, comfort and accessibility, as well as additional incentives (discounts, digital services). The main barriers were lack of time (71.4%) and high cost of training (50.0%). Among training-related difficulties, the most significant were high workload levels (57.1%) and exercise complexity (42.9%), highlighting the need for gradual load progression and personalized training. Convenience and accessibility factors were also shown to affect training regularity. Most respondents preferred a combined format (57.1%) integrating group and personal elements, an optimal duration of 60 minutes (64.3%), and a frequency of 2–3 sessions per week. The findings confirm the multilayered motivational structure of early adulthood men, where health preservation and physical development dominate, while barriers are primarily time- and cost-related. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of using the results to design flexible, accessible, and motivation-oriented functional training programs that can enhance adherence to exercise and foster a culture of healthy living.