Master of Science (Exercise and Sport Studies)

The purpose of the study was to identify the motivational profiles underlying sport participation among young Singapore athletes, as well as to examine the relationship between the motivational profiles identified and a range of cognitive, behavioural and affective indices. A total of 139 boys and 164 girls from 4 junior colleges participated in the current study. They were aged between 16 to 19 years (M = 17.64, SD = .60) and had represented at national inter-school or higher level competitions. Using contemporary motivational approaches in the sports domain, such as achievement goal orientations, self-determination theory, nature of athletic ability beliefs and perceived competence, four meaningful clusters were identified. They reflected one less well motivated, one highly motivated, one less competent and one clearly amotivated cluster. Differences in perceived motivational climates and intrinsic interest were used to determine the predictive validity of the clusters. One-way MANOVA confirmed that all the motivational variables that were included in the cluster analysis showed significant contributions to cluster group profiles. Hence, the use of cluster analysis in the present study proved helpful in identifying subgroups of athletes with different motivational patterns. Consequently, the information obtained could assist coaches in designing intervention programs that are targeted toward the athletes' motivational needs.