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Motivation in ultra-marathon runners.
Zbigniew Waśkiewicz1,2, Pantelis T Nikolaidis3,4, Aïna Chalabaev5
1Department of Team Sports, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.
Psychology Research and Behavior Management
|January 16, 2019
Summary
Ultra-marathon runners are motivated by affiliation and life meaning, unlike shorter-distance runners. Increased race experience correlates with lower personal goals and recognition, suggesting unique psychological profiles for extreme endurance athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Psychology
- Exercise Science
- Endurance Sports Research
Background:
- Motivation is crucial for ultra-marathon runners during demanding training and races.
- Understanding athlete motivation is key to optimizing performance and adherence in extreme endurance events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between sport experience, specifically ultra-marathon finishes, and the motivational characteristics of runners.
- To compare the motivations of ultra-marathoners with those of endurance runners competing in shorter distances.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Motivation of Marathoners Scale to assess motivational factors.
- Compared 425 ultra-marathoners with 1,114 shorter-distance endurance runners (control group).
- Analyzed data from 1,539 Polish runners (382 women, 1,157 men).
Main Results:
- Ultra-marathoners reported higher affiliation and life meaning motivations compared to the control group.
- Ultra-marathoners scored lower on weight concern, personal goal achievement, and self-esteem.
- Greater ultra-marathon experience was negatively associated with personal goal achievement, competition, and recognition.
Conclusions:
- Ultra-marathoners exhibit distinct motivational profiles compared to runners of shorter distances.
- Findings suggest tailored psychological interventions for ultra-marathon athletes.
- Sport psychologists can use these insights to develop performance-enhancing strategies for extreme endurance athletes.
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