Abstract des Autors

The goal of the present investigation was to proceed to a multidimensional analysis of sport motivation in relation with elite performance and gender. The sample was made up of 98 Bulgarian top athletes (35 females and 63 males). Participants' athletic performances in national and international events over the last two years was documented. Participants also completed the Bulgarian version of the Sport Motivation Scale (Briere, Vallerand, Blais & Pelletier, in press: Pelletier, Fortier, Vallerand, Tuson, Briere, & Blais, 1995). The SMS, which is based on the tenets of Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985, 1991), assesses: intrinsic motivation, self-determined extrinsic motivation, non-self-determined extrinsic motivation, and amotivation. Results indicated that, in comparison with less successful athletes, title and medal holders displayed higher level of non-self-determined extrinsic motivation and higher levels of amotivation. With respect to gender, the motivation of female athletes was more strongly characterized by intrinsic motivation. Results are discussed in light of Self-Determination Theory and the cultural context which prevailed in Bulgaria at the time of the investigation. It is concluded that these results highlight the role of motivation in elite sport performance. Verf.-Referat