Masters Thesis

Exploring the Motivational Profiles of Amateur Triathletes

This study examined data from 594 triathletes of a variety of backgrounds, to identify existing motivational state differences between male and female triathletes, long course versus short course triathletes, and 'top performing' versus 'participating for pleasure' triathletes. Data was gathered via a digital questionnaire that included popular, pre-validated motivation assessment measures - the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSF), the Exercise Regulation Questionnaire (BREQ-3) and the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS-28). Utilizing t-test statistical analyses, significant motivational profile differences were identified between male and female triathletes and top performing versus 'just' participating athletes. Mean comparisons suggested that male triathletes are less self-determined than their female counterparts, placing greater motivational emphasis on extrinsic, rather than intrinsic factors, while female athletes reported higher levels of need frustration. Multiple significant differences were also found in the motivational profiles of top performing triathletes when compared to those that were participating for pleasure, including on BREQ-3 subscales (External Regulation; Identified regulation; Integrated Regulation), SMS-28 (Extrinsic Introjected; Extrinsic Identified), and BPNSF subscales (Autonomy Frustration; Relatedness Frustration; Competence Satisfaction; Competence Frustration). Post hoc examination revealed that the top performing athletes scored higher than 'just participating' athletes on five BREQ-3 subscales (Amotivation, External Regulation, Identified Regulation, Integrated Regulation, Intrinsic Regulation), four SMS-28 subscales (Intrinsic motivation to accomplish; Extrinsic motivation to experience; Extrinsic External Regulation; Amotivation) and five BPNSF subscales (Autonomy Satisfaction: Autonomy Frustration; Relatedness Frustration; Competence Satisfaction; Competence Frustration). The study suggests that a far greater variety of motivational profiles are already present amongst the triathlon community than may have been previously assumed. The identification of a motivational profile that correlates with greater success lays the groundwork for research-informed training programs that could potentially aid athletes in performance improvements.

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