Motivation and motivational climate among elite hammer throwers

Study aim: The purpose of the study was to explore the characteristics of the motivational factors and the motivational climate of elite hammer throwers in the most prestigious and most successful club in Hungary.

Material and methods: The Sport Motivational Scale (SMS) and the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ) were used to assess the motivation and motivational climate among hammer throw athletes (N=23). Data were analysed with descriptive statistical methods. The independent sample t-test was applied for the determination of differences as related to success level, age, and gender. Also, correlation was used to find out what relationships exist among the variables.

Results: Amotivation tends to be at low levels (M=2.48±1.40), while extrinsic motivation (M=4.68±0.79) and intrinsic motivation (M=4.40±0.95) can be considered to be at medium levels in the sample. There were no differences in motivation between elite and non-elite athletes and between athletes under and over 18 years of age. However, male throwers had a significantly higher level of intrinsic motivation (t=2.941, p=.008) and a significantly lower level of amotivation (t=-2.428, p=0.025) than female athletes. The sample had higher values of Task orientation (3.97±0.40) than Ego orientation (2.63±0.47). There were no differences detected in success level, gender, and age in the athletes’ motivational climate. The correlation in all cases seems to be generally low.

Conclusions: The coach of this successful club focuses on creating a positive climate in which the athletes’ skill levels, goal orientation, age, and gender are matched with challenges and expectations. The relatively few differences in motivation and motivational climate prove that the coach provides continuous support on both the individual and group level. The coach does it not only with the athletes’ skills and conditioning, but also with their motivation and motivational climate.