Abstract des Autors

This study examined the relationships between competitive and recreational sport structures, gender and athletes' sport motivation. Subjects completed the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS), a valid and reliable measure of sport motivation which assesses 3 types of intrinsic motivation (intrinsic motivation to know, to accomplish things, and to experience stimulation), 3 types of extrinsic motivation (external, introjected, and identified regulation), and amotivation. Results revealed that competitive athletes demonstrated less intrinsic motivation to experience stimulation and less intrinsic motivation to accomplish things than recreational athletes, while exhibiting more identified regulation and more amotivation than this group. Gender differences also emerged. Female athletes were more intrinsically motivated to accomplish things and exhibited more identified regulation than male athletes, while displaying less external regulation and less amotivation than this group. Results are discussed in light of Cognitive Evaluation Theory, and future research avenues are offered. Verf.-Referat