Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire – BREQ
Measures multidimensional behavioral regulations (external, introjected, identified, and intrinsic motivation) for exercise based on Self-Determination Theory.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire – BREQ was developed by Mullan, E., & Markland, D. (1997). It is designed to measure Exercise Motivation. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 15 items organized into 4 factors/subscales: External Regulation, Introjected Regulation, Identified Regulation, Intrinsic Regulation.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| External Regulation | 1,5,9,13 | 4 |
| Introjected Regulation | 2,6,10 | 3 |
| Identified Regulation | 3,7,11,14 | 4 |
| Intrinsic Regulation | 4,8,12,15 | 4 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Not true for me, 1 = 1, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = Very true for me.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from -24 to 24. Interpretation guidelines:
- Controlled Motivation (More Extrinsically Driven): -24 – 0
- Autonomous Motivation (More Intrinsically Driven): 1 – 24
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of External Regulation: alpha .79; Introjected Regulation: alpha .76; Identified Regulation: alpha .78; Intrinsic Regulation: alpha .90.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.