Motivation Of Athletes Research Articles

From Metrics to Experiences: Investigating How Sport Data Shapes the Social Context, Self-Determination and Motivation of Athletes

Abstract In this paper, we use self-determination theory and its related mini-theories to investigate the influence of sport data on sports experience and motivation in sports. First, we reflect on the use of technology in sports and show how sport data thwarts and promotes motivation in sports. Second, we argue that human–computer interaction (HCI) has been too narrowly focused on the ‘performance’ aspect of sport data. We argue for a more liberal take on sport data, showing that it also relates to motivation in sports through basic human needs. By bridging SportsHCI studies with the insights we gain from self-determination theory, we uncover the interwoven relations between the objective measures that sports technology provides and their motivational aspects for athletes. Our paper ends with five emerging points for attention for SportsHCI that we think can pave the way towards a more holistic approach to considering sport data for motivation in sports.

Current State of Factors Influencing the Development of Running Speed in the 100m Sprint for Non-Specialized University Students at Tan Trao University

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of factors influencing the development of running speed in the 100m sprint for non-specialized university students at Tan Trao University. The primary objective of this research is to identify and examine the key elements that contribute to the improvement of short-distance running speed among this student population. Through an extensive review of both domestic and international literature, the study encompasses 20 relevant publications from 2012 to 2024, establishing a robust foundation for understanding the current state of research and best practices in this domain. The findings reveal that the development of running speed is influenced by a multifaceted interplay of biomechanical, physiological, psychological, and training-related factors. Specifically, the study delves into the significance of proper running technique, muscle strength and power, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, energy system utilization, athlete motivation, goal-setting, and mental preparation. Additionally, the paper highlights the importance of implementing effective training programs that incorporate periodization, volume and intensity management, and evidence-based injury prevention strategies. The implications of this study are paramount, as it offers valuable insights for coaches, physical education instructors, and sports science professionals working with non-specialized university students. The findings can inform the design and implementation of comprehensive training programs aimed at enhancing the speed capabilities of this population, while also prioritizing injury prevention and overall athletic development.

Participation motivation in disabled athletes

Background and Study Aim. Sports have significant effects on individuals of all ages and levels, particularly for those with disabilities. These effects are seen in terms of self-expression and competence skills. The aim of this study was to measure the motivation levels of disabled athletes in their participation in sports. Material and Methods. The study involved 151 voluntary participants. The 'Motivation Scale for Participation in Sports for Disabled Individuals' was utilized. Independent t-tests and One-Way ANOVA multiple comparison tests were employed to compare differences between two independent groups and determine variations between variables. Results. Significant differences were found in the motivation levels of disabled individuals in terms of gender, disability status, nationality, type of sport, and social status factors. Female participants were found to have higher levels of both internal and external motivation compared to males. It was determined that the internal motivation of individuals with hearing impairments is higher than those with visual and intellectual disabilities. Additionally, the external motivation levels of individuals with physical, visual, and hearing impairments are higher than those with intellectual disabilities. National athletes have been found to have high levels of external motivation. Furthermore, there is a significant difference in the internal and external motivations of individual sports participants compared to those participating in team sports. No significant differences were found in the duration of participants' athletic careers. Individuals who gained social status through sports were found to have high levels of external motivation. Conclusions. Among the positive effects of sports in human life, it is observed that there are many positive values that sports bring to individuals. This includes the internal and external motivation it provides. Sports have significant effects on self-expression and self-sufficiency skills for individuals of all ages and levels, especially for individuals with disabilities. In this context, the participation of disabled individuals in sports becomes crucial in terms of their personal development and facilitating their lives, both physiologically, psychologically, and sociologically.

Basic Needs Satisfaction and Conscious Motives for Sports Activities of Juniors

Athletic motivation is actively studied in the sports psychology. The study of the juniors’ motivation is crucial for exploring the reasons to quit the sport, the fac-tors that reduce an athlete’s productivity, the principles of building support pro-grams for young athletes. The purpose of the study was to study the basic needs satisfaction and the hierarchy of young athlete conscious motives. The study involved juniors, in the amount of 133 people aged 13-16 years (M=15.1; SD=1.6; 59.4% men). The following methods were used: the essay “Why I came into sports”, “Method of paired comparisons” by V.V. Skvortsov (modified by I.A. Akindinova), as well as statistical methods (descriptive statistics, W - Kendall, Chi-squared test, Kruskal-Wallis H - test). Personal, professional and status conscious motives were found out to form a complex motivation for sports activities. Conscious motives for sports activities differ among juniors in various sports. The least satisfied needs are those for acceptance needs and self-expression. The type of sport does not determine the satisfaction of the junior needs. The prospect of the study is to create a model of motivation for a young athlete. The results can be used in the activities of sports institutions.

The relationship between emotional intelligence and sports motivation in athletes

Athletes’ motivation is a dynamic construct that may change due to some factors. For example, the experience of pleasure, enjoyment, competition, and appropriate expectations factors to participate in sports and to achieve high performance (de Franco Tobar, Meurer, & Benedetti, 2013). However, emotional intelligence (EI) also plays a significant role, as athletes experience both positive and negative emotions when faced with achievement, stress, or competitive pressure during sport and competition, which is common in both youth (McCarthy, Allen, & Jones, 2013) and adult sport (Campo et al., 2018). Athletes’ EI may also manifest as an inability to express and manage emotions appropriately (e.g., unbridled anger, aggression, lack of control), particularly in competitive situations itcan negatively affect both athletic performance and withdrawal from sporting activity. Meanwhile, the ability to understand and effectively manage emotions can influence interpersonal relationships within the team better sports performance, and enhance motivation to participate in sports (Ramajayam, 2017). Research purpose – to determine links between athletes’ emotional intelligence and sports motivation.
 The study involved 245 adult athletes from team sports. Among them were 109 men and 136 women. The mean age of the athletes was 21.8 ± 3.09 years. The following instruments were used in the study emotional intelligence was studied using Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale (Schutte et al., 1998). Sport motivation was investigated using The sport motivation scale II (Pelletier et al., 2013). Socio-demographic questions about athletes’ age, gender, and represented sport were also provided. Statistical data processing was used to analyse the results.
 Results. It was determined that the emotional intelligence of athletes is higher than average. It was found that athletes can be most characterised by integrated motivation and least characterised by motivation. Women are more likely to have higher EI compared to men. Women better than men value the ability to control the emotions of others and perceive them. Men all dimensions of sports motivation were statistically significantly higher than for women, except introjected motivation. It was determined that the overall EI and EI dimensions of the participant were statistically significantly related to internal, identified, and injected motivation. The dimensions of their emotion management and perception of emotion are inversely related to motivation .
 Keywords: emotional intelligence, sports motivation, athletes.

Being a Migrant Athlete in Turkey: What Motivates Them and What Their Problems

With globalization and the commercialization of sport, there has been an increase in the mobility of migrant athletes worldwide. In parallel to this, there is also an increase in the number of migrant athletes in Turkey. In this respect, this research aims to investigate the motivations and problems experienced by the increasing number of migrant athletes in Turkey. The study group of the research, which was planned in a phenomenological design, consisted of a total of twenty (20) migrant athletes: nine (9) from the football branch, six (6) from the basketball branch, and five (5) from the volleyball branch. Personal information forms and semi-structured interview forms were used as data collection tools. In the research, face-to-face and one-to-one interviews were conducted with migrant athletes. The data were analyzed using the content analysis method. According to the research findings, three typologies affecting the motivation of migrant athletes to be in Turkey emerged. These typologies are ambitionist, mercenary, and settler. It was determined that living in a new society and culture in the context of intra-sport problems and integration in intra-sport problems. As a result, the motivations of immigrant athletes to be in Turkey are mostly ambitionist and mercenary, and they face more problems in their lives outside of sports.

Rehabilitation support of the training process of athletes

Relevance. According to scientists, the main influence on the development of sports pathologies is exerted by: irrational organization and direction of the training process, a number of factors related and not related to the training process and the high motivation of athletes to achieve high results at any cost (without paying attention to existing pathological conditions). The purpose of the study of this article was the need to update the need to develop complexes of rehabilitation and recovery measures for the relief of sports pathological syndromes or unformed dysfunctions of organs and systems, taking into account the type of sport, age and gender of athletes. Methods and organization of research. To achieve this goal, scientific and methodological literature on the research topic was analyzed. Conclusions. The means for identifying pathological syndromes (sports and health monitoring), generally accepted methods for their relief (restorative and rehabilitation measures), as well as the stages of developing complexes of rehabilitation and restorative measures are disclosed. The development of complexes of rehabilitation and restorative measures for the relief of sports pathological syndromes or unformed disorders of the functioning of organs and systems, taking into account the type of sport, age and gender of athletes, will help increase sports longevity, prevent sports disability and possibly improve sports performance.

THE INFLUENCE OF SPEED ENDURENCE, LEG LENGTH, AND ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION ON THE ACHIEVEMENT OF INDONESIAN JUNIOR TAEKWONDO ATHLETES IN 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine and reveal whether or not there is an influence between speed endurance, leg length, and achievement motivation on the achievement of Indonesian taekwondo junior athletes in 2023. This research was carried out using a quantitative approach using the survey method with path analysis techniques. The population in this study were all Indonesian taekwondo junior athletes. By taking the sample using the total sampling technique where the sample used is all of the population, namely all members of Indonesian junior taekwondo athletes because in the research that will be carried out because the population is considered smaller or less than 100. Based on the results of data analysis and hypothesis testing from research data variable speed endurance, leg length, motivation and achievement results of Indonesian taekwondo junior athletes, the following conclusions can be drawn: There is an effect of speed endurance on motivation with a direct influence percentage of 49.3%. There is an effect of leg length on motivation with a direct influence percentage of 39.5%. There is an effect of speed endurance on the achievement results of Indonesian junior taekwondo athletes with a direct influence percentage of 21.3%. There is an effect of leg length on the achievement of Indonesian junior taekwondo athletes with a direct influence percentage of 19.9%. There is a motivational influence on the achievement of Indonesian junior taekwondo athletes with a direct influence percentage of 58%. There is an indirect effect between speed endurance on the achievement results of Indonesian junior taekwondo athletes through motivation with a significance value of 0.468. There is an indirect effect between leg length on the achievement of Indonesian junior taekwondo athletes through motivation with a significance value of 0.428.

The Influence of Swimming Athletes’ Burnout on Their Sports Participation Motivation in Hunan, China

Objective: This study aims to explore the effect of swimming athletes’ burnout on their sports motivation in Hunan University, China. It seeks to understand how burnout influences various motivational factors, providing insights for optimizing swimming sports courses and enhancing student participation. Method: Employing random sampling, the study surveyed 260 swimming athletes from Hunan University. The research utilized a questionnaire divided into three parts: demographic information, the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ), and the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). Pearson’s r correlation analysis was conducted using SPSS to examine the relationships between burnout dimensions and motivational factors. Results: The study found significant correlations between a reduced sense of accomplishment and various motivational dimensions, including “interest/enjoyment,” “perceived competence,” “perceived choice,” and particularly “perceived tension.” Physical exhaustion showed a significant correlation only with “perceived tension,” indicating a strong link between psychological stress and physical fatigue. Sports devaluation was significantly correlated with “perceived tension,” suggesting that psychological stress impacts athletes’ valuation of their sport. Conclusion: The findings highlight the complex interplay between burnout and motivation in swimming athletes. Psychological stress, as indicated by “perceived tension,” emerges as a key factor influencing both the physical and emotional aspects of burnout. The study underscores the need for holistic training approaches that balance physical training with psychological well-being, personalized coaching, and supportive environments to enhance intrinsic motivation and manage stress effectively.

Sport Specialization and Sport Motivation in Middle School-Aged Athletes.

Sport specialization has been assumed to have psychosocial ramifications for athletes, especially autonomous motivation, which has been associated with continued sport participation. Sport dropout is common in youth athletes, yet it is unknown how sport specialization may affect this population psychosocially. To determine the association of sport specialization with autonomous and controlled motivation and amotivation in middle school-aged athletes. Cross-sectional study. An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to athletes via schools, club sports, and social media. A total of 178 athletes (male = 59%; private school = 51%; grade: sixth = 20%, seventh = 32%, eighth = 48%) completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed demographics, sport participation, and motivation using the Youth Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire. Sport specialization was defined using a modified 3-point scale (low, moderate, or high) and multisport versus single-sport athletes. Nonparametric tests were used to analyze the differences among the types of motivation and specialization levels and between multisport and single-sport athletes. Sport specialization categories were not significantly associated with autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, or amotivation. No significant associations were present between multisport or single-sport athletes and any type of motivation. However, multisport athletes had higher scores for intrinsic motivation, a subscale of autonomous motivation, compared with single-sport athletes (single sport: median = 5.00, 25th-75th quartile = 4.50-5.00; multisport: median = 5.00, 25th-75th quartile = 5.00-5.00; P = .04). Sport motivation did not differ between sport specialization groups in middle school athletes. Dropout from sport is common in this age group but is multifactorial in nature. A lack of sport motivation could be a factor for some athletes, but all specialization groups appeared to have similar outcomes. Our exploratory analysis suggests that clinicians may consider having an open dialogue with single-sport athletes, their parents or guardians, and coaches to ensure that athletes are enjoying their sport.

Peculiarities of motivation in sports training

The article examines the current issues of motivation in sports training and identifies its main features. It is noted that the study of motivation in sports training is important both from the point of view of science and practice, because during sports much attention is paid to the personality of the athlete, his professionally important qualities and individual typological features. It is determined that motivation is a process in which a person motivates himself to action, as a result of which he will achieve the goal and fulfill the tasks. It is emphasized that motivation in sports training is associated with intrinsic motivation and achievement motivation. Intrinsic motivation is what motivates a person to act to increase their self-confidence and independence, rather than for an external goal. Achievement motivation is a type of activity motivation that is associated with a person's need to succeed and avoid failure The main features of motivation in sports training are substantiated, namely: motivation in sports training has the form of a three-level pyramid, the higher the level, the higher the athlete's motivation to train; the second feature is the athlete's personal motives that encourage him or her to train systematically; the third feature is achievement motivation, which is a relatively stable attribute of the individual. However, it is also a dynamic formation and begins to act (actualizes) in interaction with situational factors, such as the value and probability (chances) of achieving success in a particular field of activity. Achievement motivation, i.e., the desire to succeed in a particular type of activity, includes not only achievement motives (stable personality attributes), but also situational factors (value, probability of success, complexity of the task). Prospect for further research is to conduct an empirical study to determine the personal constructs of motivation in sports training.

Social Cognitive Ability and Competence Motivation of Athletes in a Chinese Vocational Institute Towards Personalized Mental Skills Training Program

Social Cognitive Ability and Competence Motivation of Athletes in a Chinese Vocational Institute Towards Personalized Mental Skills Training Program

Komunikasi Interpersonal Pelatih dengan Motivasi Berprestasi Atlet Nomor Lari

Interpersonal communication of a coach is carried out to familiarize themselves with athletes, the hope is that the coach can know what the athlete is thinking as well as the coach can include positive motivations for athletes including achievement motivation. This study aims to determine the relationship between the interpersonal communication of coaches with the achievement motivation of track number athletes in Gorontalo City. This research is a correlational study with the entire study population as a sample of 18 athletes. The research instrument used closed questionnaires on interpersonal communication variables with verbal and nonverbal factors, while achievement motivation variables with risk factors for task selection, feedback, responsibility, creative-innovative, task completion time, and having realistic goals. As a result, this study revealed that there was no significant relationship between the interpersonal communication of trainers and the achievement motivation of track and field athletes in Gorontalo City. Further research needs to be conducted to investigate so that the achievement motivation of track number athletes in Gorontalo City becomes even higher. The researcher recommends that coaches can take other approaches in an effort to increase the motivation of their athletes.

Comparing Drinking Game Motives, Behaviors, and Consequences Among Varsity Athletes, Recreational Athletes, and Non-Student-Athletes: A Multisite University Study.

Among college students, student-athletes are at increased risk for heavy alcohol consumption, participation in risky drinking practices (e.g., playing drinking games [DG]), and adverse alcohol-related consequences relative to non-student-athletes. Within the student-athlete population, level of sports participation (e.g., recreational or varsity sports) can affect alcohol use behaviors and consequences, but our understanding of the extent to which level of sports participation influences engagement in DG is limited. Thus, in the present study, we examined differences in frequency of participation in DG, typical drink consumption while playing DG, negative DG consequences, and motives for playing DG among varsity, recreational, and non-student-athletes. College students (n = 7,901 across 12 U.S. colleges/universities) completed questionnaires on alcohol use attitudes, behaviors, and consequences. Student-athletes (recreational or varsity sports) were more likely to have participated in DG within the past month than non-student-athletes. Among students who reported past-month DG play, recreational athletes played more often and endorsed more enhancement/thrills motives for playing DG than non-student-athletes, and student-athletes (recreational or varsity) endorsed higher levels of competition motives for playing DG than non-student-athletes. These findings shed light on some risky drinking patterns and motives of recreational athletes who are often overlooked and under-resourced in health research and clinical practice. Recreational and varsity student-athletes could benefit from alcohol screening and prevention efforts, which can include provision of competitive and alcohol-free social activities and promotion of alcohol protective behavioral strategies to help reduce recreational athletes' risk for harm while playing DG.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION OF COACHES WITH MOTIVATION OF STUDENT-ATHLETES

A coach's interpersonal communication is carried out to familiarize himself with athletes, the hope is that the coach can know what the athlete is thinking and at the same time, the coach can include positive motivations for the athlete, including achievement motivation. This research aims to determine the relationship between coaches' interpersonal communication and the achievement motivation of athletes who have become students at the Sports Coaching Education Study Program, Faculty of Sports and Health, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo. This correlational research uses an incidental sampling technique with a sample of 97 student-athletes. The research instrument uses a closed questionnaire for each variable. As a result, this research reveals that there is a significant relationship in the moderate category between coaches' interpersonal communication and student athletes' achievement motivation in the Sports Coaching Education Study Program, Faculty of Sports and Health, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo. This has answered the question of how coaches' interpersonal communication can influence the achievement motivation of student-athletes. Coaches can combine other things to motivate their athletes to excel, especially to increase athlete motivation. Researchers also suggest that future research should focus on what can motivate student-athletes to achieve achievements.

The influence of coaches’ behavior on achievement motivation and performance of Riau athletes

This study aimed to analyze and demonstrate the influence of coaches’ behavior on the motivation and performance of athletes. This correlational descriptive study utilized the Structural Equation Model (SEM) approach through the smart PLS analysis application. The study comprised a sample of 121 athletes from various individual and group sports. The behavior of coaches’, in general, encompasses five variables: mental skill, coaching style, character building, nutrition knowledge, and coaching science. Motivation comprises intrinsic and extrinsic factors, while athletes' performance is determined by their qualities during training and physical test results. Data collection involved distributing questionnaires, supplemented by several interviews to bolster the research findings. The study's findings illustrated the R-squared determinant coefficients, indicating the significance of trainer behavior in athletes' performance, which stands at 0.696 (69.6%), and the impact of trainer behavior on motivation, recorded at 0.448 (44.8%). Among the variables tested, only one variable (character building) showed no discernible effect on athletes' performance (p > 0.05). Conversely, the remaining variables significantly influenced achievement motivation, athletes' performance, or mediated variables through achievement motivation to athlete performance (p < 0.05). These results are anticipated to serve as a guideline for coaches, emphasizing the pivotal role of coach quality in athletes' technical performance and overall achievement.

The impact of service quality, family support, and coach-athlete intimacy on the achievement performance of student-athletes through motivation as a mediator

This study aimed at measuring service quality, family support, coach-athlete intimacy to student-athlete achievement performance through motivation as a mediator. This was a correlational descriptive study that utilized the SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) approach with the assistance of Smart PLS. The researchers developed an instrument based on previous research data with a scale of 1–4. The subjects of this study were 125 Riau province student-athletes who will compete at POPNAS (National Student Sports Week) in Indonesia. Subjects consisted of 73 male athletes and 52 female athletes aged 15 ± 1.6 years. For data analysis, we used Smart PLS. The structural relationship model testing generated ten hypotheses. Among these, only the relationship between Coach-Athlete Intimacy and Achievement Performance showed a p-value of 0.532 > 0.05, indicating a lack of significant effect. However, the remaining nine hypotheses demonstrated a significant effect. The research model fulfills the fit model criteria, with data based on an SRMR (Standardized Root Mean Square) value of 0.064. The publication of this study anticipates improvements in service quality, family support, and nurturing coach-athlete relationships to enhance athlete motivation and achievement performance. Further research endeavors are essential to expand the sample size and explore additional variables influencing sports achievement.

Assessing Motivational Factors in Young Serbian Athletes: A Validation Study of the Sport Motivation Scale-II

Background. Motivation is considered crucial in sports participation and performance, influencing athletes’ psychological well-being, investment in training, and interpersonal relationships. Self-determination theory (SDT) is a prominent framework used to understand motivation in sports, highlighting the importance of autonomous motivation for optimal performance and well-being. A large number of questionnaires for examining processes in sports were created by relying on the constructs of SDT. Objective. This study explores the psychometric characteristics (construct validity) of the Sport Motivation Scale II (SMS-2), as well as gender and age differences in motivation among young Serbian athletes. This questionnaire has proven to be important for understanding the motivation of adult athletes, but so far, its psychometric characteristics have not been sufficiently examined on a sample of young athletes in Serbia. Given the high dropout rate from sports in adolescence, valid questionnaires to assess the motivation of young athletes can help to identify athletes who are at risk of leaving a sport. Design. The sample consisted of 365 young athletes (51% girls, aged 12–16) from Serbia participating in team sports (at an organized level, not a recreational level), including volleyball, basketball, and handball. They completed the SMS-2 using paper and pen, in the presence of a psychologist and with parental consent obtained by the clubs. The questionnaire has been translated into Serbian. Young athletes from team sports were selected due to the large number of adolescents in Serbia who are engaged in organized team sports. There is a small number of adolescents who are involved in organized individual sports. Results. Factor analysis of the SMS-2 revealed six factors, in line with the original structure of the Scale: identified motivation, intrinsic motivation, amotivation, external motivation, integrated motivation, and introjected motivation. The questionnaire demonstrates satisfactory psychometric properties, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients indicating good internal consistency. Gender differences were obtained only in external motivation, where boys scored higher than girls. No significant differences emerge in motivation across age groups or among athletes participating in different sports. It is possible that differences were not found in relation to the type of sport because there are similarities in the process of working with young athletes in team sports. Conclusion. The Sport Motivation Scale II (SMS-2) showed satisfactory psychometric characteristics in a Serbian sample of young athletes. The original structure was replicated, with six factors representing six types of motivation, in line with SDT. These findings suggest the SMS-2’s validity across gender, age, and sport types, offering a valuable tool for assessing motivation in young athletes engaged in organized team sports.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Team Sport Engagement: The Perceptions of Adolescent Females in Victoria

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate the impact of restrictions in response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on team sport engagement from the perspectives of Victorian adolescent females. In 2022, 10 female athletes aged between 14 and 17 years, recruited via snowball sampling, took part in semistructured interviews exploring their experiences and perceptions during the pandemic. Three higher order themes emerged: (a) team sport barriers during COVID-19, (b) emotional responses of athletes during COVID-19, and (c) behavioral reactions of athletes during COVID-19. Findings indicated that athletes reported harsh restrictions, a lack of social interaction, and resources severely impacted training, ultimately resulting in poor motivation, lowered mood, and decreased sport enjoyment. Athletes also expressed concern in relation to spreading the virus, adhering to restrictions, and discovering lost skills and ability postlockdown. Guided by the self-determination theory, the perceived reduction in motivation and sport engagement for Victorian female athletes during COVID-19 was a result of the added depletion of autonomy, relatedness, and competence during the strictest lockdowns worldwide. The practical implications of this research offered new qualitative insights into how extended lockdowns and limited sport engagement impacted participation of female youth athletes who resided in the most locked-down state in the world. It also provided a strong foundation to enhance female motivation and sport engagement through addressing athletes’ self-efficacy levels and encouraging enjoyable and socially simulating sporting contexts following the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE ROLE OF OPERATIONAL MANAGERS ON THE MOTIVATION OF ATHLETES

Operational managers in sports are a key link in the management team and in their independent programs they plan, organize, predict and control the athletes and the team, as well as implement appropriate strategies to beat the competition and achieve good results. They manage the most important resources - the athletes and carry out personnel policy over them by way of selection, elections, determining the tasks and roles of the players in the team and are the main motivators of the athletes. We conducted a survey of a sample of 20 respondents, operational managers - coaches from the Macedonian football league, in order to determine the attitudes and opinions about their role and influence on the motivation of athletes in sports clubs. For the research, we used a survey questionnaire as a measuring instrument. After analyzing the survey questionnaire, we came to the conclusion that:
 - Spreading the vision, mission and goals in a sports club is the responsibility of the operational manager, where the majority of respondents believe that, apart from them, these characteristics should be possessed and implemented by every member of the management team.
 - The majority of the clubs and operational managers as an integral part of them, pay great attention to the motivation, to maintain it at a high level among all the athletes and the team as a team, which they consider to be a key factor for achieving the set goals.
 - Various motivational speeches, messages and awards in the form of finances from the management are considered part of the motivation in order to maintain it at the highest level, which are part of the external motivation, and the internal one has the key role for every single athlete.
 - In sports clubs where there are sufficient financial resources, operational managers try to maintain motivation with a sports psychologist, who will additionally motivate them through various methods, all with the aim of preventing monotony from occurring, which can lead to various unwanted decisions in athletes.