The relationship between motivation and perceived autonomy of individual and team sports athletes with disabilities

Abstract

Psychological preparation is important for athletes development and success in sport alongside with physical training. Satisfaction of psychological needs such as motivation and perception of autonomy given by coach is very important in understanding of athletes behavior and performance. Over the last three-decades scholars focused on investigation of motivation influence on performance and autonomy – supportive coaching of able – bodied athletes, however, only few researches dedicated to paralympic sport. Many previous researches showed differences between able – bodied and disabled athletes in terms of motivational behavior reasons to participate in sport, win orientation, competitiveness and autonomy perception. In addition, in addition, such factors as adaptive equipment, classification, venue accessibility and other paralympic sport specific factors also could make influence on athletes motivation. Therefore, implications of previous researches about able – bodied athletes cannot be directly applied on athletes with disabilities. The perception of autonomy given by coach is different in team and individual sport types because of its nature. For example, in individual sport athlete rely only on himself or herself, focus on skills development and need to be concentrated during whole competition. In team sport, where all athletes pursuit team goal, as well as concentration and skills, atmosphere and support in team can be crucial. Sometimes, team sports do not require excellent skill development but require fulfillment of team goals. Based on Self – Determination Theory (SDT) this research will investigate and compare relationship between motivation and autonomy of individual and team disability sport. The quantitative survey will be conducted among athletes with disabilities; questionnaire will include demographic questions (age,

gender, sport type, disability onset, etc.), to evaluate motivation will be used Sport Motivation Scale – II, to evaluate autonomy will be used The Autonomy – Supportive Coaching Questionnaire. Survey will be conducted among Korean athletes with disabilities, which compete in individual and team sports and train in Icheon training center of Korean Paralympic Committee and Gyeonggido Sport Association for the Disabled.