Age-related differences in motivational climate and extrinsic-intrinsic motivational factors among members of the Hungarian national wrestling teams

Authors

Ágnes Szemes^1,*, Péter Vig², Kinga Nagy³, Gábor Géczi⁴, Kornél Sipos¹, László Tóth¹

¹ Department of Psychology and Sport Psychology, University of Physical Education, Budapest, Hungary
² Budapest Honvéd Sports Association, Budapest, Hungary
³ Department of Recreation, University of Physical Education, Budapest, Hungary
⁴ University of Physical Education, Budapest, Hungary

Abstract

In sport psychology, research regarding athletes’ motivation and perceived motivational climate is becoming more and more popular. The major aim of the present study was to investigate whether sport motivation and the perceived motivational climate of the members of the Hungarian national wrestling team varried depending on the age-group of the wrestlers. Our results indicated that Amotivation presented a descending pattern with age, the youngest players (10-19 years old) attaining highest levels of Amotivation, while the 19-25 years-old age-group the lowest. Although Amotivation increased somewhat in the 25-28 years old age group, this increase was not significant. Regarding the use of external regulation factors, our findings showed that the youngest age group (10-19 years old) relied significantly more on these mechanisms. Consequently, our findings suggest that the youngest wrestlers are more prone to lose their motivation and rely on extrinsic regulation factors in order to be motivated. These aspects have practical importance as a supportive attitude shown by coaches may meet athletes’ basic psychological needs specific for their age, thus increasing their motivation for preparation and competition.

Keywords: sport motivation, perceived motivational climate, wrestling

PAGES:293-306

doi:10.24193/cbb.2017.21.18

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