Motivation

Understanding Motivation

Introduction

  • Motivation is the driving force that compels an individual to participate and stay committed to physical activity.
  • This influential psychological factor can be divided into two categories: intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.

Intrinsic Motivation

  • Intrinsic motivation refers to the internal desires and rewards that encourage an individual to engage in activity.
  • This can include enjoyment, satisfaction from personal achievement or the simple love of the sport.
  • Maintaining motivation in this form would mean the individual finds the activity inherently pleasing or fulfilling.

Extrinsic Motivation

  • Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is rooted in external factors including rewards, trophies, praise or avoiding punishment.
  • It can play an effective role especially in early stages of acquiring a new skill, but long-term reliance can be less effective as it doesn’t promote self-determination.

Role of Motivation in Sport

  • Both kinds of motivation are equally important in sports, each with their unique influence on performance.
  • Most athletes are driven by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
  • Motivation can impact the level of effort, perseverance, concentration and the willingness to learn and improve.

Motivational Climate

  • Motivational climate refers to the environment created by a coach or teacher which can significantly impact an individual’s motivational level.
  • Two types of climates are: mastery motivational climate which focuses on personal progress and skill development, and performance motivational climate which focuses on comparison with others and winning.
  • Aligning the motivation climate with the individual’s motivational orientation can foster enhanced skill acquisition, satisfaction and reduced anxiety.

Implications of Lacking Motivation

  • A lack of motivation can lead to a decline in performance, reduced interest and potentially dropping out from the sport or activity.
  • Understanding and harnessing motivation can aid coaching tactics, increase enjoyment and promote continuous engagement and performance improvement.

Improving Motivation

  • A combination of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, setting achievable goals, positive reinforcement, fostering a supportive environment and variety in training can all serve to boost motivation levels.
  • Respecting the individual’s reasons for participation can also help in maintaining their motivation.