Validation of the German-language version of the Volition in Exercise Questionnaire (VEQ-D)

The present study describes the validation of the German Volition in Exercise Questionnaire (VEQ-D), an instrument to measure volition in the physical exercise context. Volition goes beyond the construct of motivation and describes self-regulatory mental processes that are responsible for initiating and maintaining a desirable action (e.g., exercising regularly). The six-factor scale structure of the original Danish version was confirmed in the translated questionnaire via a confirmatory factor analysis. The analyses showed a good model fit and satisfactory to good internal consistency. In addition, the VEQ‑D showed criterion validity because it was able to predict physical exercise participation. It showed incremental validity by explaining additional variance with regard to self-efficacy and barriers for physical activity, which are well-established motivational predictors of physical exercise participation. Validation in other samples (e.g., in samples with lower physical exercise levels which are more representative of the general population) is, however, needed.