An exploratory, person-centered study on motivation and physical self-concept profile in primary school children and their relation to physical performance and interest

Abstract

To gain knowledge about children’s needs, the present study aimed to investigate the sport-related types of children using a exploratory, person-centered approach. In a multi-stage data analysis motivational orientation, physical self-concept, physical performance, and sport-related interest of 147 German children (9.46 years) were examined. First, three distinctive motivation and physical self-concept profiles based on motivation and physical self-concept were identified using cluster analysis (‘High self-concept, high motivation’; ‘Positive self-concept, self-determined motivation’; ‘Low self-concept, low motivation’). Motivation and physical self-concept profiles did not differ in physical performance significantly. In a second cluster analysis, four profiles of interest were identified and their relation to the motivation and physical self-concept profiles was examined. Among others it could be shown that half of children with low self-concept and motivation belong to an interest profile labelled „Little interested, sports and court games dislike“. Our findings suggest that various sports offers are needed based on three basic psychological needs, and children should be supported in making positive experiences to develop interest.