Purpose: Despite the growing body of research supporting the positive effects of exercise on both psychological and physiological well-being, most people do not engage in regular exercise. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, the purpose of this study was to examine relationships between basic needs satisfaction, self-efficacy, motivation, exercise behavior and well-being among Swedish university students.

Methods: A set of instruments measuring basic needs satisfaction, barrier self-efficacy, motivation, well-being, and exercise behaviors was distributed at a university in southern Sweden. The respondents (n=260) were men (n=122) and women (n=138) with a mean age of 22. To analyze and process the gathered data, SPSS was used with Pearson’s r and Multiple Regression Analysis.

Results: The results showed that competence, autonomy and relatedness were positive predictors of self-determined motivation. Identified regulation, intrinsic regulation and barrier self-efficacy were positive predictors for strenuous exercise. Moreover, positive correlations between all the basic needs, strenuous exercise and well-being were shown. No significant correlations between light or moderate exercise and the independent variables appeared.

Conclusions: This study provides further support for Self-Determination Theory and Self-Efficacy Theory. To promote strenuous exercise and well-being among Swedish university students it appears important to create a need supportive exercise environment, where the basic needs can be satisfied.