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. 2022 Mar 2;19(5):2899.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19052899.

The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Relationship between Approach Motivational System and Sports Success among Elite Speed Skating Athletes and Physical Education Students

Aleksandra M Rogowska  1 , Rafał Tataruch  2 , Konrad Niedźwiecki  3 , Bożena Wojciechowska-Maszkowska  2
Affiliations

The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Relationship between Approach Motivational System and Sports Success among Elite Speed Skating Athletes and Physical Education Students

Aleksandra M Rogowska et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: While the association between self-efficacy and sports success has been well established in previous studies, little is known regarding whether the basic approach motivation system contributes to this relationship in athletes. The study examines associations between self-reported temperamental approach disposition, self-efficacy, and predispositions to sports success in athletes.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between August 3 and 30 November 2020. The participants were 156 athletes, aged 16-34 years (M = 21.57, SD = 3.58, 41.67% women), in two groups: 54 elite athletes in speed skating (EASS) and 102 physical education students (PES). The online survey consisted of the Reinforced Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and Sports Success Scale (SSS).

Results: There were no differences in self-efficacy and sports success in terms of gender, sports discipline, and level of competitions. The Behavioral Activation System (BAS) results were lower in the EASS sample compared with in the PES group. Self-efficacy plays a mediating role in the relationships between BAS and sports success among athletes, with sport discipline as a moderator between BAS and self-efficacy. Sports success in speed skating relies strongly on BAS, while a weak link has been found in other sports disciplines.

Conclusions: BAS is directly correlated to sports success and indirectly related through self-efficacy. Mental training should be focused on maintaining self-efficacy and reward motivation in athletes to increase their sports success.

Keywords: Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST); approach and avoidance temperament; elite athletes; physical education; self-efficacy; speed skating; sports success.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Simple mediation model of association between Behavioral Approach System (BAS) and Sport Success via self-efficacy in the total sample (N = 154), by controlling of age, gender, and group (Elite Athletes and Physical Education students); R2 = 0.16, F(5, 150) = 5.87, p < 0.001. Regression effects are standardized β coefficients. ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001. The total effect of BAS on Sport Success is β = 0.26, p < 0.01. The direct effect of BAS on Sport Success, controlling for self-efficacy as a mediator, is statistically insignificant β = 0.13.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Interaction effect between BAS and sport discipline (speed skating vs. other sports) on predispositions to sport success. The navy-blue line represents speed skating (EASS sample) and the green line indicates other sports (PES group).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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