Author(s): AKBAS, A., HEINRICH, A., HEIKKINEN, S., MUKHAMBET, Z., DE BOSSCHER, V., WASKIEWICZ, Z., Institution: AWF KATOWICE, NIP PL 634-019-53-42, Country: POLAND, Abstract-ID: 1935

Introduction: Sustained participation in youth sport is strongly influenced by the quality of athletes’ motivation. Within Self-Determination Theory, autonomous forms of motivation—such as intrinsic, integrated, and identified regulation—are consistently associated with persistence, performance, and psychological well-being. In contrast, controlled motivation and amotivation are associated with maladaptive outcomes, including reduced enjoyment, greater psychological strain, and increased dropout risk. Despite the growing evidence base in youth sport, motivational profiles in youth biathlon remain insufficiently explored, particularly in cross-national contexts where organizational and cultural conditions may shape motivational quality. The purpose of this study was to examine motivational regulations among young biathletes and to identify dominant motivational patterns associated with continued sport participation.
Methods: Motivation was assessed using the Sport Motivation Scale-II (SMS-II; 18 items). Data were collected online, and 270 valid responses were obtained from young biathletes representing multiple International Biathlon Union federations. The SMS-II evaluates intrinsic regulation, integrated regulation, identified regulation, introjected regulation, external regulation, and amotivation. Responses were provided on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (does not correspond at all) to 7 (corresponds completely).
Results: Preliminary findings from Polish sample indicate a predominantly autonomous motivational profile. Intrinsic regulation demonstrated the highest mean score (M = 5.11), followed by identified regulation (M = 4.84) and integrated regulation (M = 4.72). Introjected regulation was moderate (M = 4.11), whereas external regulation (M = 2.44) and amotivation (M = 2.68) were comparatively low. This pattern suggests that participation is primarily driven by enjoyment, personal value, and alignment with identity, rather than by external pressure or obligation. Such a configuration is widely regarded as adaptive and has been repeatedly linked to sustained engagement, enhanced self-regulation, and improved psychological well-being among youth sport populations.
Conclusion: Young biathletes demonstrate high autonomous motivation and low amotivation, indicating favorable motivational conditions for long-term sport participation. Continued international data collection will enable cross-national comparisons and a more robust examination of socioeconomic and federation-level influences on motivational quality. These preliminary findings have practical implications for coaches and sport organizations, underscoring the importance of training climates and developmental pathways that strengthen intrinsic enjoyment and identity-based motives to support athlete retention.
Funding: IBU Research Grant Programme no. S-002157