Intrinsic motivation & intentions to be physically active: the role of high school coaches

A primary goal of adolescent sport participation is to equip children with the competence and confidence to choose to participate in leisure physical activity as they transition into adulthood. Previous research on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) has shown that autonomy-supportive coaching has a positive relationship with the development of intrinsic motivation. However, the literature does not provide information about how this motivation development translates to greater exercise adherence to physical activity later in life. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between perceived autonomy support, basic needs satisfaction, intrinsic motivation, and intention to be physically active among competitive high school athletes. METHOD: A sample of 37 high school athletes (majority white and female) completed a quantitative survey one time. RESULTS: Multiple regressions showed that motivation to experience (F (5,31) = 3.59,p=0.01) was significantly predicted by only team relatedness (P=.41,/?0.05). Mean scores of the entire sample (N= 37) showed that intention to be physically active decreased as temporal distance increased. Hierarchical regression revealed that intrinsic motivation (P=.35,/?0.05) and teammate relatedness (p=.35,/?0.05) were the only significant predictors of intention. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that the teammate relatedness component of basic needs satisfaction and intrinsic motivation are the only significant predictors of changes in intention, while coach autonomy support is not. It can be said that high school athletes that are most motivated by their experience, rather than their accomplishments and knowledge within their sport, and feel connected to their teammates are more likely to be physically active in college.