Volume 32 / Number 57 / 2026
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS AS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ROLE MODELS: THE IMPACT OF PERSONAL BEHAVIOUR ON PATIENTS’ EXERCISE ENGAGEMENT
Adriana Minodora POPESCU, Constantin CIUCUREL, Mariana Ionela TUDOR, Elena Ioana ICONARU
Keywords
Physiotherapists, physical activity, role modelling, exercise engagement, patient motivation.
Abstract
Background: Physiotherapists are actively involved in promoting physical activity and may influence patients’ exercise-related behaviours through education, exercise prescription, and personal example. This study investigated the relationship between physiotherapists’ physical activity levels and patients’ motivation toward exercise within the framework of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Methods and materials: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted involving 15 physiotherapists and 45 patients. Physiotherapists’ physical activity levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF), while patients’ exercise motivation was evaluated using the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire (TSRQ). For the correlational analyses, patient motivation scores were aggregated at the physiotherapist level. Associations between variables were examined using Kendall’s tau-b correlation coefficient. Results: Physiotherapists with higher physical activity levels were associated with more favourable patient motivational profiles. A significant positive association was identified between physiotherapists’ physical activity level and patients’ autonomous motivation (τ = 0.451, p = 0.041). Significant negative associations were observed between physiotherapists’ physical activity level and controlled motivation (τ = −0.511, p = 0.019), as well as amotivation (τ = −0.887, p < 0.001). Weekly MET scores showed similar patterns, being negatively associated with controlled motivation (τ = −0.468, p = 0.017) and amotivation (τ = −0.846, p < 0.001). The strongest associations were observed for amotivation. Conclusion: Higher levels of physiotherapist physical activity were associated with higher autonomous motivation and lower levels of controlled motivation and amotivation among patients. These findings highlight the potential contribution of physiotherapists’ own health behaviours to exercise motivation and engagement in rehabilitation.
For citation: Popescu, A. M., Ciucurel, C., Tudor, M. I., Iconaru, E. I. (2026). Physiotherapists as Physical Activity Role Models: The Impact of Personal Behaviour on Patients’ Exercise Engagement. Romanian Journal of Physical Therapy. 32(57),4-13.
https://www.doi.org/10.61215/RJPT.2026.32.57.4