Motivation in elite athletes: a study on what makes a set of female swimmers perform above or under their expected potential
Abstract
What makes some athletes perform at their highest potential
level whilst other athletes fail to do so? A good understanding of an athlete’s motivation
is critical to a coach designing an appropriate environment and to maximize their
athlete’s physical potential. This paper examines how motivation is experienced and
expressed by a group of elite athletes within the framework of Self-Determination
Theory (SDT). Findings of this investigation indicate that high
performance athlete had their needs satisfied and further, show high level of self
determined motivation. Consequently, low performing athlete did not have their need
satisfied, showed low levels self determined motivation and even indication of
amotivation. However, it is not as clear cut because some of the thriving athletes
showed signs of non self-determined motivation and low performing athlete showed
indication of intrinsic motivation.
Description
Masteroppgave - Norges idrettshøgskole, 2012