Athletes’ motivational and emotional outcomes related to a Need-Supportive intervention in intensive training centers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to set up an intervention program promoting a need-supportive style for elite coaches, and to evaluate its effects on athletes’ emotional and motivational outcomes during the competitive season. Seven coaches of 16 elite table tennis players from two intensive training centers received a need-supportive intervention, comprising an initial theoretical session and video analyses of coaching sessions. The athletes reported their self-determined motivation (i.e., intrinsic motivation, integrated regulation, identified regulation, introjected regulation, external regulation, and amotivation), basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS, for autonomy, competence, and relatedness) and thwarting (BPNT, for autonomy, competence, and relatedness), and positive and negative emotions (i.e., anxiety, anger, excitement, dejection, and happiness) in a logbook twice a month during the intervention period. Multilevel growth curve analyses revealed a decrease in the BPNT levels for autonomy and competence and an increase in BPNS for autonomy. Moreover, the results also showed improved trajectories for emotional outcomes including anxiety, anger, excitement, and happiness. Altogether, these findings complement the body of knowledge on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in intensive training settings. Moreover, the motivational and emotional trajectories support the possibility of promoting elite athletes’ outcomes with targeted sessions that are suitable for the competitive environment. Despite the absence of a control group, the program provides additional knowledge about the effects of longitudinal and practical need-supportive interventions comprising reflective practice analysis of coaching in intensive training centers.

 Lay summary: This study explored the effects of a need-supportive intervention on athletes’ psychological experiences in intensive training centers. The intervention was targeted at the coaches and comprised theoretical knowledge and practical analyses. The results revealed an improvement in some motivational and emotional experiences of the athletes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

• Motivational and emotional experiences of young athletes can be improved with a need-supportive intervention.

• Practical analyses of coaches, based on the Self-Determination Theory, represent an opportunity to foment a need-supportive climate.

• A need-supportive climate can be promoted in intensive training centers with short targeted interventions.

Acknowledgment

The authors acknowledge the participation of the athletes and the coaches.

Notes

1 Continued measures were initially planned after the intervention in the study design. However, the training centers were temporarily closed because of the COVID-19 crisis, so these measurement points could not be included.

2 Continued measurements were initially planned after the intervention in the study design. However, the training centers were temporarily closed because of the COVID-19 crisis, thus these measurement points could not be included.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the French Federation of Table Tennis (FFTT).