Faculty Scholarly Dissemination Grants

Examining Subjective Sport Performance, Motivation, Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics Among Female Collegiate Athletes

Department

Movement Science Department

College

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Date Range

2012-2013

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

There are limited studies examining anthropometric and physical characteristics among females participating in different sports. Even fewer studies have examined associations between motivation and performance among female athletes. PURPOSE: The primary aim is to examine motivation, anthropometric and physical characteristics among female collegiate athletes participating in different sports. A secondary aim is to determine the degree to which subjective sport performance can be predicted from sport motivation. METHODS: A convenience sample 35 undergraduate female collegiate athletes (age 19.74 + 1.31 yrs; BMI 22.62 + 2.72) participated in this cross-sectional study. In a single testing session, athletes completed the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS) consisting of intrinsic (IM), extrinsic (EM), and amotivation subscales; anthropometric measures (Heath-Carter somatotype); physical measures (vertical jump, agility, grip strength, sit-and-reach); and responded to a subjective measure of performance. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis revealed SMS IM-Accomplish subscale as a significant predictor of performance, R=.40, R2 =.16, p < 0.05. ANOVA revealed no significant differences in SMS subscales across sports. MANOVA revealed a significant sport effect for anthropometric measures and BMI, p < 0.01 Univariate tests revealed mesomorphy, ectomorphy, and BMI differed across sports. Mesomorphy was greater in lacrosse and soccer athletes compared to x-country athlete, ectomorphy was lower in lacrosse than x-country athletes, and BMI was lower in x-country athletes than lacrosse or soccer athletes. MANOVA revealed a significant sport effect for fitness measures, p<0.01. Univariate results revealed grip strength and agility were lower in x-country athletes than volleyball, soccer, and lacrosse athletes. Vertical jump was also lower in x-country athletes than volleyball. CONCLUSION: Different sports had specific and unique physiological characteristics. Intrinsic motivation-Accomplish was predictive of subjective performance across athletes of all sports.

Conference Name

American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting

Conference Location

Indianapolis, IN

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