Positive Motivational Climates, Physical Activity and Sport Participation Through Self-Determination Theory: Striving for Quality Physical Education

Abstract

Physical activity levels and participation in sport-related activities is, in many cases, decreasing. This decrease has been associated with the quality of physical education, which in turn may be determined by the motivational climate. This article aims to provide practical applications, derived from self-determination theory, that may help physical education teachers foster a self-determined motivational climate that leads to engagement in physical education, physical activity, and sport activities across age groups.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Paulo Pereira

Paulo Pereira ([email protected]) is a full professor in the School of Higher Education at the Polytechnic Institute of Porto and a researcher in inED, Center for Research and Innovation in Education in Porto, Portugal.

Daniel A. Marinho

Daniel A. Marinho is an associate professor in the Department of Sport Sciences at the University of Beira Interior and a researcher in the Research Centre in Sports, Health and Human Develoment at CIDESD in Covilhã, Portugal.

Fernando Santos

Fernando Santos is an assistant professor in the School of Higher Education at the Polytechnic Institute of Porto, a researcher in inED, Center for Research and Innovation in Education in Porto, Portugal, and an assistant professor in the School of Higher Education at the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.