Faculty Publications

Sport Commitment Among Competitive Female Athletes: Test Of An Expanded Model

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Gymnastics, Motivation, Social influence, Youth sport

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Sports Sciences

Volume

28

Issue

4

First Page

423

Last Page

434

Abstract

In the present study, we examined an expanded model of sport commitment by adding two determinants (perceived costs and perceived competence) and behavioural commitment as a consequence of psychological commitment, as well as identifying psychological commitment as a mediator of relationships between determinants and behavioural commitment. Competitive female gymnasts (N = 304, age 8–18 years) completed relevant measures while coaches rated each gymnast's training behaviours as an indicator of behavioural commitment. Path analysis revealed that the best fitting model was one in which original determinants (enjoyment, involvement opportunities, investments, attractive alternatives) and an added determinant (perceived costs) predicted psychological commitment, in addition to investments and perceived costs directly predicting behavioural commitment. These results provide further, but partial, support for the sport commitment model and also suggest that additional determinants and behavioural consequences be considered in future research. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Department

School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services

Original Publication Date

1-1-2010

DOI of published version

10.1080/02640410903536442

Link to Full Text

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