Examining achievement goals in exercisers: adaptation and validation of the goal orientations in exercise measure (GOEM)

The different criteria by which individuals evaluate their competence and define the success (or failure) of their participation in exercise is a topic of interest. The present study aimed to translate and validate the Goal Orientation in Exercise Measure (GOEM) in a sample of Portuguese exercisers. Confirmatory factor analysis and multigroup analyses were developed in order to test the factor structure and measurement invariance of the measure, respectively. The present sample comprised 550 gym and health club exercisers (female = 264; M_age = 30.03 ± 10.20), with an attendance of 3.06 times (SD = 1.08) per week, and a mean exercise experience of 37.63 months (SD = 2.37). Current results showed that the measurement model of the GOEM presented adequate fit (total sample model: χ² = 108.65, df = 34, B-S p =  < .001, SRMR = .045, TLI = .960, CFI = .970, RMSEA = .060). Additionally, measurement invariance was achieved between genders and across different fitness activities. Present results showed that the predictive validity criterion was respected, since task-orientation positively and significantly predicted identified regulation (β = .54) and intrinsic motivation (β = .43), whereas ego-orientation was positively associated with external regulation (β = .46) and amotivation (β = .39). Present findings support the use of the measure for task and ego-orientation assessment, thus allowing further support for the Achievement Goal Theory framework expansion in gym and health clubs research.