Term of Award

Summer 2012

Degree Name

Master of Science in Kinesiology (M.S.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Department of Health and Kinesiology

Committee Chair

Brandonn Harris

Committee Member 1

Daniel Czech

Committee Member 2

Jody Langdon

Abstract

Author's abstract: Physical activity levels and obesity rates vary greatly across ethnic groups in the United States (CDC, 2011). One popular way to increase physical activity levels in youth is through youth sport participation, which may be influenced by athlete motivation. Numerous studies have determined motivation levels in youth sport participants, but very little done in comparing levels across different ethnic groups. Identifying differences in motivation levels based on ethnicity can allow coaches and sport administrators to adjust practices and program setups to increase participation and meet needs of player competence. The purpose of the study was to determine if there are differences in intrinsic, extrinsic, and a motivation subscales between different ethnic groups. With the research comparing differences in motivation in athletes from different countries, it was believed that there would be significant differences in the three subscales between the different ethnic groups (Kniesel, Opitz, Wossman & Ketelhut, 2009). After comparing the mean scores from the subscales of the modified Sport Motivation Scale, a need support scale, and a need satisfaction scale, no significant differences were found between "white non-Hispanic" and "other ethnic" groups. Further studies are needed to determine if differences exist, or if competing cultural affiliations have a stronger effect on motivation levels in youth soccer players such as sport association or location of residence.

Research Data and Supplementary Material

No

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