Propensity for adventurousness in the motivational structure of junior athletes

Abstract

This study aims to establish statistical correlations between the propensity for adventurousness and components of junior athletes' motivational structures. Methods: The sample consisted of juniors actively involved in competitive, training, and rehabilitative sports, regularly participating in competitions ranging from regional to international levels, including European, World, and Olympic events. The sample includes an equal number of male (n = 65; 50.00%) and female (n = 65; 50.00%) participants, as well as an equal representation from team sports (n = 65; 50.00%) and individual sports (n = 65; 50.00%), randomly selected. The size of the total sample was: n = 130 respondents aged from 17 to 19 years. The following descriptive characteristics were obtained: М = 18.38; SD = ±3.08; Мe = 18.50. The applied psycho-diagnostic tools tested in numerous studies on sports psychology, on junior samples are valid, reliable and representative. Results: Twenty-one statistically significant correlations of the parameters of propensity for adventurousness with motives for engaging in sports and thirty four correlations with motives for achieving a sports result (p ≤ .050; p ≤ .010; p ≤ .001) were established using Spearman’s coefficient (rs). It was found that the parameters of propensity for adventurousness “emotional motivational indicator of adventurousness” and “energy indicator of adventurousness” are the most dependent ones. It was explained by the fact that these components in junior athletes are a powerful mental resource which should be supported, developed and directed at volitional self-regulation. An algorithm for creating a profile of propensity for adventurousness was proposed. Discussion and conclusions: Comparison of the researched groups with a high level (Group 1) and a low level (Group 2) of propensity for adventurousness allowed summarizing that the athletes with a high level are guided by the desire for new sensations accompanied by adrenaline rush, frequent changes goals during sports competitions and by an immense desire for social self affirmation. The athletes with a low level strive to improve sports skills, work on a procedural component accompanied by control, volitional efforts and self-regulation of sports behavior. It is recommended that the obtained results should be taken into consideration by coaches, psychologists and managers of sports institutions working with junior athletes.