european college of sport science

Thursday, June 25th, 2009
motivation is similarly derived and mediated as at the global and contextual levels. It has been suggested that motives are related to
emotion, personality and behaviour, consequently underpinning thoughts, emotions and behaviours across the lifespan (Robinson et al,
2005). Thus it seems logical to surmise that at this situational level, motivation is determined to a greater extent by the mood and emotion
of the individual at that time (Barnett, 2006).
This study aims to ascertain possible links between mood, emotion and motivation using the Profile of Mood States (POMS), Sports Motivation
Scale (SMS) and Sport Emotion Questionnaire (SEQ).
Second year sports students were recruited for this study (n=58). One hour prior to the activity participants were asked to complete an
SMS questionnaire with the upcoming activity in mind. Ten minutes prior to participating in the activity participants were asked to complete
the pre POMS and SEQ questionnaires. Participants then completed their selected activities for a period of 30 minutes. Immediately
after a warm down, participants were asked to complete the post POMS and SEQ to ascertain post mood and emotion. Data was analysed
using Pearson product-moment correlation to assess the relationship between motivation, mood and emotion.
Preliminary findings suggest that intrinsic motivation is strongly correlated to positive mood and extrinsic motivation shares a medium
relationship strength with positive mood and emotion.
References: Barnett, L.A. (2006). Accounting for Leisure Preferences from Within: The relative contributions of gender, race or ethnicity,
personality, affective style and motivational orientation. Journal of Leisure Research. 38 (4), 445-474.
Matsumoto, D., and Sanders, M. (1988). Emotional experiences during engagement in intrinsically and extrinsically motivated tasks.
Motivation and Emotion. 12(4) 353-369.
Rhodes, R.E., Blanchard, C.M., Matheson, D.H. and Coble, J. (2006). Disentangling motivation, intention, and planning in the physical
activity domain. Psychology of Sport & Exercise. 7 (1), 15-27.
Robinson, M.D. Meier, B.P. and Vargas, P.T. (2005). Extraversion, Threat Categorizations, and Negative Affect: A Reaction Time Approach
to Avoidance Motivation. Journal of Personality. 73 (5), 1397-1436.
RELATIVE AGE IS ASSOCIATED WITH MALE SOCCER DROPOUT
DELORME, N., BOICHÉ, J., RASPAUD, M.
UNIVERSITY J. FOURIER - GRENOBLE I
Introduction: The purpose of this study is to examine the birthdates distribution of French male soccer players who ceased their participation,
so as to test whether the Relative Age Effect (RAE) is related to the dropout behaviour. We hypothesize that young players born late in
the competitive year would be over-represented in the dropout sample. Conversely, because of their relative age and its associated
advantages, the young players born early in the year should be under-represented in this sample.
Methods : At the end of the 2007-2008 season, the birthdates of the French male players (n = 363,590) licensed during the 2006-2007
season and that had not reiterated their licence during the following season were collected through the database of the French Soccer
Federation (FSF). We waited until the end of the 2007-2008 season to collect the data, in order to avoid considering as dropout some
players that took their licence while the new season had already begun.
For each of the 7 age categories distinguished by the FSF, the players’ birthdates were classified into 4 quarters. As the cut-off date has
changed in France, players born before 1982 were classified from Q1 (August-October) to Q4 (May-July), whereas those born in 1982 and
after were classified from Q1 (January-March) to Q4 (October-December). Then, a chi square test was carried out to determine whether
the observed distribution by quarter significantly differed from the theoretical distribution. The theoretical distribution was calculated from
the corresponding population of licensed players, using weighted mean scores.
Results: An over-representation of players born in the last two quarters was found among dropouts, from the less than 9 to the less than
18 age categories, whereas the players born during the first two quarters were under-represented. No significant difference between the
theoretical and observed distribution appeared concerning the less than 7 and adult categories.
Discussion: These results confirm that the RAE can act as a sport dropout factor from the less than 9 to the less than 18 age categories.
For the players born in Q4, the differences in physical attributes and the subsequent reduced opportunities to play, associated with lowered
self-worth perceptions and perceived competence, are likely to lead to higher dropout rates. Concerning the less than 7 category,
the absence of effect can be explained by two elements. First of all, in this category, the differences in terms of physical attributes remain
modest. Next, it must be outlined that the FSF does not organize official competition for them. Thus these players are less likely to be
confronted to situations of failure or inferiority. Finally, a distribution conform to the one observed among the whole population of licensed
adult players was observed among adult dropout players. This result is coherent with past studies having shown that RAE gradually
declines with age.
MOTIVATION FOR SPORT IN YOUNG ITALIAN COMPETITIVE ATHLETES.
AMICI, S., DE PERO, R., PIACENTINI, M.F., CAPRANICA, L.
UNIVERSITY OF ROME FORO ITALICO
Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the motivation to sport participation of young Italian competitive athletes in relation to gender,
age and type of sport participation.
Methods: The Sport Motivation Scale questionnaire (Pelletier et al.1995) was administered to 354 subjects (197 girls and 157 boys) 232
swimmers and 122 gymnasts divided in 2 age groups 9-12 and 13-17 yrs. To test for significance (p