The Sports motivation Is what moves the athlete to act in each moment and is related to the why of what is done.
It is different from the activation, which is the implementation of the organism that allows the execution of a behavior. Activation is necessary although it is not sufficient for a Motivational state .
"Motivation is the key to success; Success is the key to motivation."
Why is motivation important in sports?
For a person to start and be persistent in the execution of a sport, it is important that there is some satisfaction in it. Because it is a hard activity that requires effort, it requires motivation to do it.
What motivates the athlete?
The reasons why an athlete is motivated are:
- Context: win a medal, social recognition, win a drink.
-Individuals: vary from person to person and depend on personal history. For example, to practice a sport by family tradition.
Types of motivation
1) Basic motivation: the reasons that lead an athlete to practice an activity. For example playing tennis because he likes that sport.
2) Daily motivation: the reasons to practice the activity consistently every day or several days per week.
Therefore, there are 4 situations:
- Basic motivation high and everyday high: is the ideal situation, for example a boy who likes to play tennis and train).
- Basic low motivation and everyday high: for example a girl who, although he likes to train does not like the sport itself.
- Basic motivation high and low everyday: a boy who likes a sport but does not train.
- Basic low and everyday low motivation: a girl who does not like sports or train. In these cases it is better to abandon the practice of sport.
Moments when practicing a sport
The motives that lead to the attainment of something are changing depending on the moment in which a person is in relation to the achievement of a goal. Three main moments can be identified:
-Home: just started practicing the sport . In the beginning it is important to enjoy, if not difficult to start.
-Keep: the reasons to keep the activity. They can be to improve what is learned, the challenge, to have fun or to continue learning.
-Abandono: when it is abandoned is for reasons like not being competent, not having the expected results, pressure, conflicts, incompatibilities with other activities, boredom, anxiety... You must practice the sport according to the skill in that task. If the skill is very high and the task requirement is small, the athlete will be bored and if the skill is small and the task requirement too high, he will feel anxiety.
Orientation towards motivation
Guidance refers to the goals a person seeks when practicing a sport. There are two types of motivation orientation: towards the task and towards the results.
Homework orientation
They are the people who seek to improve their skills in the activity they perform and strive to increase their skills and abilities, competing with themselves more than with others. Because they do not look at the results, these people stay motivated for longer and have more resistance to dropping out. They are more persistent, resistant to failure and work harder. In addition, realistic or somewhat difficult but not unreachable objectives are proposed.
These people have better long-term results and feel better well-being.
Examples: learn a new skill, improve in the practice of a sport.
Orientation to the result
They are people who strive to achieve a result and success in something. They tend to be proud when they get the result they wanted and persist despite failures. However, they perceive success in comparison with others, which makes them dependent.
Examples: to succeed in an activity, to win to others.
Sports psychology: characteristics of the great athletes and athletes
Although there are exceptions in physical requirements, psychological skills are essential in high-level athletes.
"Push", concentration, resilience, persistence, self-discipline or self-control are some of those skills. These are the most important characteristics of high level athletes:
1-Work Ethics : A high level athlete trains 6 to 10 hours a day. Intercalando between gym and the practice of the sport.
2-Commitment : Commitment to the objectives to be fulfilled and to the improvement in the practice of the sport.
3- Resilience : High-level athletes do not give up on failures. Learn from them and move on.
"Obstacles do not have to stop you. If you hit a wall, do not turn around and give up. Find out how to climb it, go through it or round it"- Michael Jordan.
3-Focus of attention : Both short, medium and long term objectives, as well as aspects of individual parties and activities.
My mind is my best asset, I hope to win every tournament I play"- Tiger Woods.
4- Self-confidence : Refers to confidence in one's own abilities and ability to achieve goals.
"If you do not have confidence, you'll always find a way to not win"- Carl Lewis.
5-Passion : Related to task orientation, high level athletes love to practice their sport.
6-Persistence : Practice daily to advance the skills.
"I hated every minute of training, but I said; Do not give up, suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion."-Muhammad Ali.