Abstract

GENE, Pol  and  LATINJAK, Alexander T.. Relationship between basic needs and self-determination in elite athletes. CPD [online]. 2014, vol.14, n.3, pp.49-56. ISSN 1989-5879.

This article was focused in the study of some variables realized from the Self-Determination Theory at the contextual level in elite athletes. The aim of this article was to study the relationship between satisfaction of basic needs and motivation, comparing both variables in function of modality and gender. Also, the orientation for an economical reward has been explored. A total of 79 elite athletes participated in this study. In general, results showed positive correlations between basic needs satisfaction and more self-regulated degrees, and negative correlations between satisfaction of basic needs and the lower self-regulated degrees. As for difference regarding gender and modality, t for independent values exposed that women felt more satisfaction of the basic need of relationship (t [77] = -2,46; p = .016) and more integrated motivation (t [52.36] = -2,72; p = .009). Further, men were more worried about earning money (t [77] = 2,88; p = .005). Regarding modality, individual athletes exhibited higher amotivation than collective athletes (t [77] = 2,73; p =.008) and collective athletes were more worried about earning money (t [77] = -2,25; p = .028). Finally, results were discussed comparing it with previous literature and limitations of this study. The descriptive study illustrates differences in basic need competence, modality and gender in the variables studied.

Keywords : Self-Determination Theory; collective sports; individual sports; elite athletes; economical reward.

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