Determinants of Physical Activity Engagement Among Male Adolescents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Comparative Study of Athletes and Non-Athletes

Background: Physical inactivity among Saudi Arabian adolescents is a critical public health concern due to its contribution to the rising prevalence of overweight, obesity, and non-communicable diseases. Despite this, the motivational profiles and perceived barriers that differentiate athletic from non-athletic adolescents remain understudied in the Saudi literature, particularly within the school Physical Education (PE) context. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the present study examined the factors preventing and motivating Saudi adolescents to engage in physical activity (PA) and discusses findings in terms of their implications for PE teachers and school-based intervention. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 124 male high school students in Riyadh (mean age: 16.79 ± 0.66 years). Participants were categorized as either athletes (n = 70) or non-athletes (n = 54) based on pre-defined engagement criteria: athletes were required to report vigorous-intensity sport participation on three or more days per week for a minimum of 60 min per session. Anthropometric measurements, lifestyle behaviors (diet, screen time, sleep), motivations, and barriers were assessed using the validated Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS) questionnaire. Independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare between-group differences; effect sizes are reported. Result: Non-athletes had a significantly higher mean BMI (29.40 ± 6.77 kg/m²) and waist circumference (98.65 ± 21.63 cm) compared to athletes (BMI: 22.19 ± 4.44 kg/m²; waist: 78.84 ± 9.51 cm; both p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in screen time, sleep duration, or dietary habits. The primary motivations for PA among athletes were health benefits (27.1%), recreation (25.7%), and competition (20.0%), reflecting an autonomous motivational profile consistent with SDT. Among non-athletes, the predominant barriers were the lack of suitable facilities (25.9%) and the absence of an exercise partner (22.2%); reflecting unmet SDT needs for competence and relatedness respectively, while only 9.3% cited having a lack of time. Conclusions: Non-athletic participants face a significant health disadvantage characterized by higher rates of overweight and central obesity. In contrast to global trends, where academic commitments dominate barriers to PA, the principal barriers in this population are environmental and social, reflecting unmet psychological needs that PE teachers are uniquely positioned to address. Rather than focusing solely on infrastructure, PE promoters should implement need-supportive teaching practices, including competence-building tasks and cooperative peer structures, to foster the intrinsic motivational profile observed in the athletes and promote long-term PA adherence among non-athletic students, in alignment with the health objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.