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Values and the pursuit of sports excellence : the case of Singapore
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Type
Thesis
Author
Aplin, Nick
Supervisor
Saunders, John
Abstract
The pattern of success in international competitive sport in Singapore has been less than encouraging. The motivation for this study was to examine how the prevailing value systems might be implicated, bearing in mind the perceived relevance of values in the pursuit of other national goals.
A conceptual framework for the analysis, which was based on the Values Model of Schwartz (1992, 1995), led to the creation of five linked studies.
1) A pilot study was used to assess the validity of the Schwartz model within the Singapore context and to test the sensitivity of the instrument to detect significant differences between the value systems of comparable groups.
2) A major study of Pre-University students (N=643) was designed to identify the nature of the values associated with participation in competitive sport. Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) confirmed that values associated with 'Stimulation' and 'Conformity' emerged more emphatically as the level of representation increased.
3) A study of competitive swimming was undertaken to identify the nature of the values associated with performance at a national level. Swimming was chosen as objective performance assessment was feasible. Swimmers (N = 152) aged 14-19 with different levels of competitive experience were identified. In addition, elite international swimmers were interviewed to provide confirmatory information about the development of talented young swimmers in Singapore. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that 'Power' and 'Achievement' are significantly associated with performance in swimming. These results supported the hypothesis that values do make a small but significant contribution to performance in sport in Singapore.
4) The swimming study was replicated with a sample of elite junior swimmers (N = 79) aged 14-16 from Australia, who were selected to act as a reference group to assess the potential contribution of values to performance in a country with a long established tradition for international success in swimming. The notable difference in the results was the finding that values accounted for a greater proportion of the performance in the Australian group. This suggests that the contribution of values becomes relatively more important at higher levels of achievement and the transmission of appropriate sport-related values to the members of the sub-culture is more effectively executed in Australia than in Singapore.
5) Swimmers with club experience from the 14-16 years age group were selected for the purpose of direct comparison. Singaporean swimmers (N = 42) were pooled with Australian swimmers (N = 42) to undertake a further regression analysis and to focus on the main value dimensions associated with elite performance. The linearity of the association between values and performance in swimming was assessed and confirmed.
Future investigations should address this question of values within a broad typology of sport. Motivation to compete appears to be a major issue and as values have been shown to influence the behaviour of people in any area it makes sense to capitalise on the advantage that can be gained from enhancing the values that are appropriate to competitive sport.
A conceptual framework for the analysis, which was based on the Values Model of Schwartz (1992, 1995), led to the creation of five linked studies.
1) A pilot study was used to assess the validity of the Schwartz model within the Singapore context and to test the sensitivity of the instrument to detect significant differences between the value systems of comparable groups.
2) A major study of Pre-University students (N=643) was designed to identify the nature of the values associated with participation in competitive sport. Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) confirmed that values associated with 'Stimulation' and 'Conformity' emerged more emphatically as the level of representation increased.
3) A study of competitive swimming was undertaken to identify the nature of the values associated with performance at a national level. Swimming was chosen as objective performance assessment was feasible. Swimmers (N = 152) aged 14-19 with different levels of competitive experience were identified. In addition, elite international swimmers were interviewed to provide confirmatory information about the development of talented young swimmers in Singapore. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that 'Power' and 'Achievement' are significantly associated with performance in swimming. These results supported the hypothesis that values do make a small but significant contribution to performance in sport in Singapore.
4) The swimming study was replicated with a sample of elite junior swimmers (N = 79) aged 14-16 from Australia, who were selected to act as a reference group to assess the potential contribution of values to performance in a country with a long established tradition for international success in swimming. The notable difference in the results was the finding that values accounted for a greater proportion of the performance in the Australian group. This suggests that the contribution of values becomes relatively more important at higher levels of achievement and the transmission of appropriate sport-related values to the members of the sub-culture is more effectively executed in Australia than in Singapore.
5) Swimmers with club experience from the 14-16 years age group were selected for the purpose of direct comparison. Singaporean swimmers (N = 42) were pooled with Australian swimmers (N = 42) to undertake a further regression analysis and to focus on the main value dimensions associated with elite performance. The linearity of the association between values and performance in swimming was assessed and confirmed.
Future investigations should address this question of values within a broad typology of sport. Motivation to compete appears to be a major issue and as values have been shown to influence the behaviour of people in any area it makes sense to capitalise on the advantage that can be gained from enhancing the values that are appropriate to competitive sport.
Date Issued
1999
Call Number
GV663.S56 Apl
Date Submitted
1999