Further evidence for the validity of a survey for self-regulated learning in sport practice

Abstract

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is associated with enhanced athletic practice and sport expertise development. Self-report measures show promising associations with criteria for expertise development, yet there remains a need to further evidence of validity. We assessed whether modifications to the Self-Regulated Learning for Sport Practice (SRL-SP) survey to better consider practice challenges, and consideration of social desirability, would impact how survey scores discriminated between athletic skill-levels. A predominantly North American, mixed sport sample of competitive athletes (n = 235; ages 13–42; 66.8% female, 32.8% male, 0.4% non-binary) completed the modified SRL-SP survey online. Scores were then compared between athletes (n = 194) competing at four skill levels of senior (18+) competition (city/regional; provincial; national; international). Factor analysis confirmed the measurement model with five subscales. International-level athletes scored significantly higher on a composite score of all SRL subscales, and on individual subscales of effort and evaluating/reflecting, with larger effect sizes compared to previous work. Evidence of an advantage for more-elite athletes was characterized by complete correspondence in planning, checking and self-efficacy for challenge subscale scores. Controlling for social desirability scores did not meaningfully change results. The findings replicate associations between SRL and skill level, with enhanced criterion validity, and we recommend this refined version—the Self-Regulation of Sport Practice survey—for measuring self-reported SRL among competitive athletes.