"For the love of the game" : factors influencing athlete enjoyment in sport

For the Love of the Game”: Factors Influencing Athlete Enjoyment in Sport Elizabeth A. Aumand Literature has linked athlete enjoyment to increased levels of cohesion, motivation, and performance (Butcher, Linder, & Johns, 2002; Weiss, Kimmel, & Smith, 2001; Matheson, 2000; Schmidt & Stein, 1991; Scanlan, Stein, & Ravizza, 1989; Martens and Peterson, 1971). Thus, identifying the factors that influence athlete enjoyment was recognized as an important task, and served as the purpose of this study. A total of 120 student-athletes from a large-sized, NCAA Division IA, university (n males = 36; n females = 84) were surveyed regarding enjoyment (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale), satisfaction (Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaire), perceptions of coach leadership style (Leadership Scale for Sport: Athlete Perceptions), and cohesion (Group Environment Questionnaire). Results revealed significant correlations between enjoyment and 12 of the 15 subscales of satisfaction, as well as sub-scales of the LSS (athlete perception version) and GEQ. Differences between team and individual sport athletes were examined (61 team sport athletes and 59 individual sport athletes). Individual sport athletes were significantly more satisfied with team performance. Individual sport athletes reported more positive perceptions across social and task dimensions, about personal motivations acting to retain them in the group. Finally, individual sport athletes perceived more positive coach feedback, while team sport athletes perceived more autocratic coach leadership behaviors. No significant difference was found (p < .05) between enjoyment levels in individual and team sport athletes. The athletes’ satisfaction with the strategy and tactical decisions made by the coach was the most significant predictor of enjoyment. DEDICATION This entire work is dedicated to all of the special people I have encountered in my life who have given me the freedom and resources to dream.