An Exploratory Study of Youth Soccer Players’ Participation Motivation and Health-Related Behaviors

Authors

  • Zhenhao Zeng Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, USA.
  • Wen-Yan Meng Education Research Institution of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, PRC
  • Peng Sun College of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
  • Li Sheng Xie Changsu Foreign Language School, Changsu Jiangsu, PRC.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TPE-2019-V76-I2-8499

Keywords:

youth athlete, soccer, motivation, practices, competition, health-related behaviors

Abstract

Using the Adapted Questionnaire of Soccer Athlete’s Motivation and Health Related Behaviors-Chinese Version (AQSAMHRB), this study examined essential factors that motivate youth athletes to participate in soccer practices and competitions. Participants included 98 male soccer athletes (aged 14–15) from 10 middle schools of Jiangsu province, China. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and a 2 (Supporting: By Parents or By School) × 2 (Goal-Setting: For Professional or For Non-Professional) MANOVA. The top three scores from the 18 motivation factors (MFs) in the AQSAMHRB included MF1, high technical content and unique value, M = 4.73; MF4, to meet friends, M = 4.42; and MF2, for fun, M = 4.34. The 2 × 2 MANOVA revealed no significant difference in Supporting, p > .32, ? = .79, F = 1.16, but a significant difference in Goal-Setting, p < .00, ? = .03, F = 143.61. The follow-up MANOVA discovered that 12 of the 18 MF comparisons in Goal-Setting showed significant difference at p < .05, with For Professional scoring higher than For Non-Professional (e.g., MF6, to contest winners; MF7, to shape the body; MF9, to become a professional; and MF17, to become a coach). In brief, intrinsic and extrinsic MFs significantly affected these soccer athletes’ motivations. It did not matter who supported their participation, but it was their Goal-Setting on becoming a Professional or Non-Professional athlete that mattered. On the other hand, for the 27 health-related behaviors in the AQSAMHRB, frequency and percentage data were analyzed and summarized. Findings from this aspect provide firsthand information about the youth soccer athletes’ eating habits, nutrition knowledge and status, risk behaviors, and hygiene behaviors. A meaningful discussion from an educational perspective has also been provided.

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Author Biographies

Zhenhao Zeng, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, USA.

Dr. Howard Zhenhao Zeng is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, USA. His field of study are: Sport pedagogy and physical education pedagogy.

Wen-Yan Meng, Education Research Institution of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, PRC

Meng Wen-Yan is a proffssor in the Education Research Institution of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, PRC.

Peng Sun, College of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.

Peng Sun is an associate professor in College of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.

Li Sheng Xie, Changsu Foreign Language School, Changsu Jiangsu, PRC.

Xie Lisheng is the head coach in the division of physical education and sports of the Changsu Foreign Language School, Changsu Jiangsu, PRC.

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Published

2019-03-19

Issue

Vol. 76 No. 2 (2019)

Section

Articles

License

Sagamore Publishing LLC (hereinafter the “Copyright Owner”)

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