The influence of Japanese sporting culture and motivation on sport participation and life aspirations

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between Japanese sporting culture, sport motivation, participation and life aspirations. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine the three measurement models and hierarchical regressions were used to determine the predictors of sport participation and life aspirations. The results showed that sporting culture strongly predicted sport participation and life goals among Japanese university students. In addition, intrinsic motivation predicted sport participation, but not other forms of motivation. Introjected and intrinsic motivation predicted intrinsic life goals, whereas external and introjected regulations predicted extrinsic life goals. The results present an important facet of the influence of Japanese sport culture.

Keywords:

• sport culture
• confirmatory factor analysis
• sport participation
• exercise regulation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.