Search

Our primary objectives in this study were to translate and provide psychometric support for the Coach Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q) Portuguese version, assess its invariance across sex, and explore its nomological validity in relation to enjoyment. Our sample participants were 470 athletes (226 females, 244 males) aged between 16 to 39 years from various individual and team sports. We found that the translated Portuguese version of the CART-Q exhibited satisfactory test-retest reliability and can serve as a reliable tool for evaluating the core constructs of the coach-athlete relationship – closeness, commitment, and complementarity. Moreover, this instrument showed evidence of nomological validity through significant positive correlations between its underlying factors and athletes' enjoyment with their sport. The proposed model for explaining item variance was also found to be invariant between male and female respondents. We recommend further use of this instrument in research and practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to explore a short period longitudinal interplay between athletes' enjoyment and their self-determined motivation and motivational climate in youth football. We recruited 109 youth football athletes (79 males, 30 females) through a convenient sampling method. We included individuals within the 12–17-year-old age range, with a mean age of 14.31 (SD = 1.46) years. To examine these proposed associations, we performed hierarchical multiple regression analyses and found that enjoyment at pre-season assessment (T1) and self-determined motivation and a task-involving sport climate at mid-season (T2) were significant predictors of mid-season enjoyment (at T2). However, self-determined motivation and task-involving climate at T1 did not significantly contribute to the model. These findings emphasize the importance of initial enjoyment and an evolved self-determined motivation, and task-involving climate in understanding later enjoyment in sport. Coaches, practitioners, and policymakers should prioritize strategies that enhance intrinsic motivation, provide opportunities for autonomy, and cultivate a supportive and growth-oriented environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to examine empirically the Physical Activity Adoption and Maintenance model (PAAM). We collected data on these variables at baseline (T0) and 6-months later (T1). We recruited 119 participants (42 male, 77 female) aged 18–81 years old (M age = 44.89, SD = 12.95). who reported, at baseline, that they exercised an average of 3.76 days per week (SD = 1.33) in training periods lasting 15–60 minutes (M = 38.69; SD = 23.28). We conducted hierarchical multiple regression analysis to test the association between each determinant (intentions, habits, and frequency) and future exercise adherence. We tested four models by entering blocks of predictors according to PAAM assumptions. The variance change (R 2) between the first and fourth models (Δ R 2 =.391) was statistically significant, showing that the fourth model accounted for 51.2% of variance for future exercise adherence, F (6, 112) = 21.631, p <.001, R 2 =.73, adjusted R 2 =.512. Exercise intention at T1 maintained its significant association (p =.021) with exercise frequency at T1 in all tested models. Exercise frequency at T0 was the most significant predictor (p <.01) of future exercise adherence, with past experience the second most significant predictor (p =.013). Interestingly, exercise habits at T1 and T0 did not predict exercise frequency at T1 in the fourth model. Among the variables we studied, having constantly high exercise intentions and high regular exercise frequency are significantly associated with maintaining or increasing regular future exercise behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our purpose with this study was to analyze trail runners' psychological variables of mental toughness (MT) and resilience, and their associations with runners' performances within a quantitative cross-sectional study. In total, we analyzed data from 307 Portuguese trail runners (60 female, 247 male), aged between 20 to 66 years (M age = 41.98; SD = 7.74). The results showed that the measurement model, including the factors of MT, resilience, and performance variables, exhibited an adequate fit to the data: χ 2 = 150.01 (74); BS-p =.003; CFI=.953; TLI =.942; RMSEA =.058 90% (.045,.071) and SRMR=.042. Standardized direct effects revealed positive associations between these variables. More specifically: (a) MT was significantly associated with resilience; and (b) resilience was significantly associated with performance. The indirect regression paths showed that MT was positively associated with performance, with resilience considered a possible mediator (β =.09 IC =.010,.168; p =.02). In total, considering direct and indirect effects, the model explained 21% of performance variance among trail runners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated whether the relationship between significant others' social support and adolescents' physical activity (PA) is mediated by perceived barriers and benefits of PA. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from 497 adolescents (girls = 272, boys = 225) aged between 12-18 years (M = 15.87, SD = 1.43) from six different middle and secondary schools. We collected data regarding social cognitive variables and PA with self-report measures and calculated the metabolic equivalent of total amount PA. We performed structural equation modeling and mediation analyses and found our proposed models fit the data. In girls, perceived PA benefits mediated the association between support provided by friends (β =.13; IC 95% =.02.29), a best friend (β =.14; IC 95% =.03,.33), and parents (β =.07; IC 95% =.01,.18), and PA. Similarly in boys, perceived PA benefits partially mediated the association between support provided by parents (β =.09; IC 95% =.04,.37), friends (β =.11; IC 95% =.05,.40), and a best friend (β =.10; IC 95% =.05,.40) and PA. Perceived barriers to PA did not display any significant mediation role for either sex. Interventions to foster others' support for PA, especially from a best friend, are important for promoting PA among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Short Grit Scale (Grit–S) is a self- and informant-report version of the longer Grit Scale, and it retains the 2-factor structure of the original scale. Our purpose in this research was to measure trait-level perseverance and passion for long-term goals by translating and validating the Grit-S for Portuguese respondents. Our participants were 572 college students (135 female, 437 male; age range 18–30 years, M age = 21.47, SD = 2.29 years) from twelve Portuguese universities. Our data confirmed the scale's two-factor structure ("consistency of interests" and "perseverance of effort") and demonstrated appropriate adjustment values (CFI = 0.999, TLI = 0.981, SRMR = 0.017, RMSEA = 0.001, CI90%= 0.000–0.041). We found the adapted scale to be invariant for sex. Use of the scale confirmed an association between grit and well-being. These results imply that other investigators and practitioners interested in this scale may now apply it with Portuguese young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explored the nature of basic psychological needs in physical activity settings by applying relatively advanced methodological procedures for psychometric assessment. We first re-examined the Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale (BPNES) by reviewing its applicability for physical activity domains among Portuguese respondents. We demonstrated the use of Bifactor Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) and discussed the practical implications of these models. Next, we tested contextual measurement invariance in order to examine needs universality. Our participants were gym exercisers (n = 1935), physical education students (n = 1449), and athletes (n = 1631), all of whom completed the adapted and validated version of the scale in their respective practice physical activity domains. All models under analysis displayed acceptable to excellent fit; the bifactor ESEM model displayed the best fit. We conducted ancillary bifactor measures to assess scale dimensionality and found that the BPNES is best interpreted as a multidimensional instrument. Through testing for multigroup analysis, the bifactor ESEM did not show contextual invariance. In conclusion, the BPNES should be predominantly used as a multidimensional instrument when assessing basic needs in separate physical activity domains. Basic psychological needs are perceived differently between seemingly similar physical activity contexts. Researchers should measure basic needs as a global factor and use context validated sub-scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have investigated the impact of exercisers' perceptions of health professionals' interpersonal behaviors on exercisers' exercise adherence. From these studies, there is increased interest in developing and evaluating programs to improve health professionals' communication skills and interpersonal behavior. In this narrative review, we provide examples of self-determination theory and newer modifications to it, discuss the empirical conditions that foster optimal exerciser motivation, consider the antecedent factors influencing health professionals' behaviors, and offer practical suggestions to health professionals seeking to promote regular exercise practice. Since exercisers perceive and differentiate health professionals' need-supportive, need-thwarting, and need-passive behaviors, health professionals who can critically and consciously distinguish these different types of behavior are more likely to foster supportive climates and suppress the use of need-thwarting and need-indifferent behaviors. The interpersonal interaction between health professionals and exercisers strongly influences how exercisers will regulate their behavior toward persistent exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale for Portuguese exercisers. In addition, we sought to analyze gender invariance. We collected data from two independent samples of Portuguese respondents—a calibration sample with 316 participants and a validation sample with 632 participants. Results from confirmatory factor analysis supported the original six-factor model in both the calibration sample, χ2(237) = 471.814, χ2/ df = 1.99; B–S p <.001, Comparative Fit Index =.935, Tucker–Lewis Index =.924, standard mean root square residual =.047, root mean square error of approximation =.057 (90% confidence interval = [.050,.065]), and the validation sample, χ2(237) = 571.796, χ2/ df = 2.41; B–S p <.001, Comparative Fit Index =.948, Tucker–Lewis Index =.940, standard mean root square residual =.038, root mean square error of approximation =.047 (90% confidence interval = [.042,.052]). Moreover, our analysis revealed acceptable internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity of the translated version, and invariance between the two samples and between genders, as differences across latent means showed that magnitude effects were trivial between samples and between male and female exercisers. These results support the use of the adapted scale among both male and female exercisers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the original version of the Passion Scale (14 items, two factors). We tested it within a sample of mixed gender Portuguese athletes from different sports, including adapted sports. In addition to demonstrating reliability, validity, and confirmatory factor analyses of the Passion Scale, we sought to analyze the invariance of this measure between males and females and across six types of sports (soccer, futsal, swimming, surf, bodyboard, and adapted sports). We recruited 1,316 athletes to test this scale from both genders (1,109 males; 207 females), aged 14–59 years (M = 21.83; SD = 8.67). Our main results revealed weaknesses in the factor model for the original instrument (14 items and two factors) leading us to reject the model. However, after adapting the model (to eight items and two factors), the psychometric properties of the Passion Scale improved substantially and then exhibited (a) good fit to the data and (b) invariance between gender and across sports. Our new proposed version of the Passion Scale can be used with confidence to analyze the passion athletes feel when practicing their sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze measurement invariance of the Behavioral Regulation Sports Questionnaire (BRSQ) across gender and four different sports. In addition, we examined nomological validity via basic psychological needs satisfaction. Participants totaled 1,812 Portuguese athletes (1,220 males and 592 females; aged 15–59 years, Mage = 17.72, SD = 5.51) from football (n = 596), basketball (n = 273), swimming (n = 800), and parasport (n = 143). The BRSQ measurement model was invariant across gender and these four sports. The scale confirmed nomological validity in that satisfaction of basic psychological needs positively predicted autonomous forms of motivation and negatively predicted more controlled motivation and amotivation as suggested by self-determination theory. In light of this evidence for BRSQ construct validity, composite reliability, nomological validity, and invariance across gender and four different sports, this scale is a useful tool for coaches of the aforementioned sports in their efforts to evaluate their athletes' motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]