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Self-determination and goal orientation in track and field
Ngien-Siong Chin1, Selina Khoo, Wah-Yun Low
1Physical Education and Health Department, Tun Abdul Razak Teachers' Education Institute, Kota Samarahan, MALAYSIA.
Journal of Human Kinetics
|March 15, 2013
Summary
This study found significant differences in adolescent track and field athletes' motivation and goal orientations based on gender, age, and location. Male, older, and rural athletes showed distinct patterns in self-determination and achievement goals.
Area of Science:
- Sports Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Motor Learning
Background:
- Understanding adolescent athletes' motivational profiles is crucial for optimizing performance and well-being.
- Self-determination theory and achievement goal theory offer frameworks for examining motivation in sports.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender, age, and locality differences in adolescent athletes' self-determination motivation and goal orientations.
- To examine the relationship between self-determination theory constructs and achievement goal theory constructs in track and field athletes.
Main Methods:
- A total of 632 adolescent athletes (aged 13-18 years) completed the Sports Motivation Scale and the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire.
- Statistical analyses included t-tests to compare groups and correlation and regression analyses to examine relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- Significant gender differences were found in intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, amotivation, and ego orientation, with males reporting higher levels.
- Older athletes exhibited higher task orientation, while rural athletes showed higher ego orientation compared to urban athletes who reported higher intrinsic motivation.
- Task orientation was positively correlated with intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and ego orientation was positively related to all motivational variables.
Conclusions:
- Motivational profiles and goal orientations in adolescent track and field athletes vary significantly by gender, age, and locality.
- Interventions should consider these demographic factors to tailor motivational strategies and enhance goal pursuit in young athletes.
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