Abstract

The aim of the research was to study and compare the motives of sports activities of Lithuanian fencers and pentathletes. The research using the method of questionnaires was carried out in the year 2002. The subjects consisted of all fencers (n = 50) and pentathletes (n = 21) of Lithuania participating at the national Championships. The subjects were to fill in the standardized F. Herzberg questionnaire consisting of 56 questions aimed at establishing the following eight motives of activities: financial, recognition and gratitude, responsibility, relations with the chief, career, achievements, nature of activities, and cooperation. Maximum estimation of each motive was set at 28 points. The data obtained as a result of the research carried out were processed using the methods of mathematical statistics. Student’s criterion t was applied in determining difference reliability. It was found that the most important motive of sports activities among women fencers is that of achievements (21.1 points), the motive of nature of activities (21.7 points) being the most important one among men fencers. Motives of recognition and gratitude (20.1 points) and responsibility (19.1 points) are rather important for women and those of achievements (19.3 points) and cooperation (18.8 points) – for men respectively. In the case of pentathletes, both among men and women, the motive of achievements is the most important, i. e. 22.4 points and 21.5 points respectively. The motives of nature of activities (21.0 points) and cooperation (20.4 points) are of importance for women and that of cooperation (21.1 points) – for men, too. The comparison of research results obtained from the two groups of athletes studired, i. e. fencers and pentathletes, has shown that in both cases the dominating factor in sports activities is the motive of achievements, the motive of career (9.3-11.2 points) being the least important one (p < 0.05-0.001). Verf.-Referat