Abstract
Assessing self-determination to play a sport (motivation) and the strength of character or resolve (grit) in athletes is a useful tool for coaches and sports psychologists; however, gender, individual vs. team sports, and time of season differences in motivation and grit are not well documented. Whether an athlete is motivated intrinsically (more self-determined) or has sufficient grit may be the difference between athletic success or failure. Recognizing variations in motivational and grit characteristics in athletes can provide guidance towards improving individual performance and team dynamics. PURPOSE: To compare motivation and grit in NCAA collegiate athletes. METHODS: The Sports Motivation Scale II (SMS-II) and 12-Item Grit Scale were administered to 151 (87 females; 64 males; 19.2 ± 2.1 yrs) athletes spread among seven NCAA division III individual and team sports. Surveys also determined each participant’s gender, class matriculation status (freshman through senior), and time of sport season (pre-, during-, off-season). Between group differences for SMS-II relative autonomy index (RAI; degree of self-determination score) and grit were made using independent T-Test and one-way ANOVA with post hoc analyses. RESULTS: SMS-II RAI scores (mean ± SD) in both males and females were significantly higher/more self-determined (p<0.05) in athletes on team (65.8 ± 20.0) vs. individual (53.3 ± 26.9) sports yet were significantly lower/less self-determined (p<0.05) when in-season (58.5 ± 25.9) vs. pre- (65.1 ± 15.0) and post- (68.5 ± 19.8) seasons. Freshmen athletes had significantly lower/less self-determined (p<0.05) RAI scores (56.3 ± 22.4) vs. sophomores (66.6 ± 18.9) and juniors (66.4 ± 23.8). 12-Item Grit Scale in both males and females revealed significantly lower/less gritty (p<0.05) scores (mean ± SD) for freshmen (3.56 ± 0.47) vs. sophomore (3.73 ± 0.41) and senior (3.76 ± 0.41) athletes. No between group gender differences were observed for RAI or grit. CONCLUSION: Our results are the first to compare indices of motivation and grit in a diversity of NCAA athletes and indicate several between group differences in self-determination and grit that may guide athletes towards improved individual and team performance.
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