Motivation, injury prevention, and the incidence of sports injuries: A three-wave longitudinal test of self-determination theory

Roni Man Ying Chiu, Lei Zhang, Jun Teng, Patrick Ip, Agnes Yuen Kwan Lai, Derwin King Chung Chan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study applied self-determination theory (SDT) as a psychological framework to examine whether psychological need support and autonomous motivation are predictive of sports injury preventive behaviors and the incidence of sports injuries. 2042 secondary school students (mean age = 14.33, male = 44.3%) from China completed a survey of the study variables (using established scales) at three time points (baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up). Structural equation modeling examined the core tenets of SDT by testing if the change-scores of the SDT variables (i.e., psychological need support from PE teachers, students' motivation, and students' behavioral adherence) between baseline and 1-month follow-up, were predictive of sports injury incidence assessed at 3-month follow-up. Our model demonstrated acceptable goodness-of-fit parameters (CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.03, and SRMR = 0.05). The relationships between psychological need support, autonomous motivation, and behavioral adherence were both positive and significant. These SDT variables predicted the future incidence of sports injuries following the motivational pathways of SDT. Our study provides evidence of the predictive power of SDT variables on sports injury preventive behaviors and the incidence of sports injuries: Students who perceive their PE teachers as psychological need supportive possess higher autonomous motivation and behavioral adherence towards sports injury prevention, and are also less likely to encounter sports injuries in the future.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1254-1261
Number of pages8
JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
Volume33
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • autonomous motivation
  • physical activity
  • physical education
  • psychological need support
  • sports injury prevention
  • sports safety

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