semmelweis university - Faculty of Physical Education and Sport ...

Anna Lerch-Dóra Boldizsár
Semmelweis University, Faculty of P. E. and Sport Sciences (TF), Budapest, Hungary
Supervisor: Dr. Éva Leibinger, assistant lecturer
Consulate: Dr. Pál Hamar, associate professor
Empirical Examination of Hungarian and French Athletes’ Motivation and Feelings
Connected with Sport
Motivation is a central problem in sport sciences. On the one hand motivation is a
consequence of social development including the subject of competition, or coach-behavior,
anyway as the individual developing effects on behavioral norms manifesting in the process
of learning and performing. (Duda 1989; Vallerand 1987). Mood is generally defined as a
state of emotional or affective arousal of varying but not permanent duration. (Weinberg and
Gould, 2007) Mood state is a situation dependent, fleeting-transforming answer to the
environmental stimulus. (Cox, 2007)
Our research using psychological methods supposed to find the answer to the following
questions: What kind of motivation structure is represented by our subjects? What individual
mood state is indicated by our subjects in the preparation period?
In our hypothesis it has been presumed that external motivator is less represented in case of
French gymnasts. It has been assumed that in case of gymnasts the intrinsic motivation toward
accomplishment has more emphasis than in case of ballgames athletes. It has been presumed
that higher intrinsic motivator factor is due to have higher vigour value.
The shortened version of Profile Mood State Scale (POMS) as well as Sport Motivation Scale
(SMS) were filled out by French and Hungarian gymnasts and ball-game players (football,
basketball, volleyball, handball) during a preparation period in 2008. POMS was originally
published by McNair, Lorr and Droplemann in 1971. The 40-item version has been used since
1992, while Sport Motivation Scale was created and examined by Pelletier in 1995. Both
female and male athletes were examined with different age and sport-experiences. SPSS
Program was used during the statistical analyses.
The Hungarian gymnasts represented higher value in the level of extrinsic regulatory and in
case of introjected regulatory as well as lower value in identified regulation. In aspect of
gymnasts‘ feelings fatigue and depression were showed a higher value. Total Mood
Disturbance (TMD) was represented with higher value by French athletes. On the side of
different sports it has been found out that ballgame players represent significant higher anger
value, while gymnasts indicated an emphasized intrinsic motivation toward accomplishment.
It has been brightened up, that two of internal motivator correlates with vigour factor.
We hope that our results help for coaches to make the preparation period smooth and fluent.
Cooperation can work if athletes understand each others‘ feeling, mood and motivation. The
different motivation-structures and personalities make this process difficult, even in individual
sports like gymnastics, or team sports such as basketball, football, volleyball and handball. All
of these factors as well as mental, psychological and physical skills are contribute and
manifested in the final achievement.
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