Ever wondered why some athletes push through gruelling training sessions... Mostra di più
LCPE6 visualizzazioni·Aggiornato Jun 12, 2026·6 pagineDiscovering Motivation in Sports
1 / 6
1
of 6
What Drives Athletes? The Basics of Sports Motivation
Motivation is simply the reason why we do things in sport. Think of it as your internal engine that determines how hard you'll train, whether you'll stick with your sport when things get tough, and how much effort you'll put into each session.
There are two main types that work in completely different ways. Intrinsic motivation comes from within - it's about doing something because you genuinely love it. Extrinsic motivation comes from outside sources like trophies, praise, or avoiding your coach's disapproval.
Most successful athletes have a mix of both, but understanding the difference can make or break long-term sporting success. The key is knowing which type creates lasting commitment and which one might actually harm performance if used incorrectly.
Quick Tip: Athletes with strong intrinsic motivation are far more likely to stick with their sport long-term, even when external rewards disappear.
2
of 6
Intrinsic Motivation: The Love of the Game
This is the gold standard of sports motivation - when athletes genuinely love what they're doing. Intrinsic motivation includes the pure enjoyment of playing, the satisfaction of mastering new skills, and that incredible buzz you get from competition.
Picture a GAA player who trains twice a week and plays every Sunday without getting paid a penny. They're there because they love the challenge, enjoy the craic with teammates, and feel pride representing their community. The feeling of perfectly striking a sliotar or scoring a point becomes its own reward.
Self-improvement is another huge intrinsic driver. Athletes who are intrinsically motivated focus on beating their personal bests, perfecting technique, and pushing their own boundaries. They don't need external pressure because the challenge itself is enough.
Remember: Intrinsically motivated athletes show much higher persistence and are more likely to continue training even without external rewards.
3
of 6
Extrinsic Motivation: External Rewards and Pressures
Extrinsic motivation is all about the external stuff - what you can gain or avoid by participating in sport. This includes tangible rewards like trophies, medals, prize money, and sponsorship deals, plus intangible rewards such as praise from coaches, fame, social status, or avoiding punishment.
Think about a professional rugby player for Leinster or Munster. Their salary, performance bonuses, and the prestige of winning the URC or Champions Cup are massive external motivators. These rewards can be incredibly powerful, especially in the short term.
The tricky bit? Extrinsic motivation can sometimes backfire. If someone starts playing purely for rewards and those rewards disappear, their motivation often vanishes too. It's like taking away someone's salary - suddenly the job becomes much less appealing.
Key Point: Extrinsic rewards aren't bad, but they work best when supporting, not replacing, genuine love for the sport.
4
of 6
When Motivation Types Clash: The Overjustification Effect
Here's where things get interesting - and where many coaches go wrong. The overjustification effect happens when external rewards actually damage internal motivation. If an athlete who loves their sport suddenly starts getting loads of external rewards, their focus can shift from enjoying the game to chasing the prizes.
Imagine a teenager who starts going to the gym because a doctor recommended it (extrinsic), but over time develops a genuine love for getting stronger and the stress relief it provides (intrinsic). That's motivation working perfectly together.
Now picture the opposite: a young footballer who adores playing suddenly gets offered money for every goal scored. Their focus might shift from the joy of playing to hitting targets for cash. Remove the money, and they might lose interest completely.
Exam Alert: The overjustification effect is a crucial concept - remember that too many external rewards can kill the love of the game.
5
of 6
Real-World Applications: From Club to Professional Level
Let's look at how this works in practice. A club GAA player is primarily intrinsically motivated - they play for love of the game, community pride, and personal satisfaction. Any external rewards (like county medals) are bonuses, not the main driver.
A professional athlete needs both types working together. Yes, they're motivated by salary and trophies, but to reach that level, they must have genuine passion for their sport. You can't fake the dedication needed for elite performance without some internal drive.
Coaches should focus on building intrinsic motivation first. Make training fun and varied, celebrate personal improvements not just wins, give positive feedback about effort and progress, and involve players in decision-making. Use external rewards carefully - to recognise achievement, not control behaviour.
Coach's Corner: The best coaches create athletes who train hard because they want to, not because they have to.
6
of 6
Key Takeaways for Success
Motivation drives everything in sport - from your first training session to Olympic gold. Intrinsic motivation (internal drive) creates lasting commitment and enjoyment, whilst extrinsic motivation (external rewards) provides short-term power but can be risky if overused.
The sweet spot? A strong foundation of genuine love for your sport, supported by appropriate external recognition. Athletes who find this balance show better persistence, higher performance, and lifelong participation in physical activity.
For your exams, remember that fostering intrinsic motivation should be every coach's priority, whilst the overjustification effect shows why too many external rewards can backfire spectacularly.
Bottom Line: The athletes who last longest and perform best are those who genuinely love what they do - everything else is just the cherry on top.
Pensavamo che non l'avreste mai chiesto....
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Il nostro assistente AI è costruito specificamente per le esigenze degli studenti. Sulla base dei milioni di contenuti presenti sulla piattaforma, possiamo fornire agli studenti risposte davvero significative e pertinenti. Ma non si tratta solo di risposte, l'assistente è in grado di guidare gli studenti attraverso le loro sfide quotidiane di studio, con piani di studio personalizzati, quiz o contenuti nella chat e una personalizzazione al 100% basata sulle competenze e sugli sviluppi degli studenti.
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LCPE6 visualizzazioni·Aggiornato Jun 12, 2026·6 pagineDiscovering Motivation in Sports
Ever wondered why some athletes push through gruelling training sessions whilst others give up at the first hurdle? It all comes down to motivation- the driving force behind every sprint, tackle, and victory. Understanding what motivates athletes is crucial... Mostra di più
1
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- Accesso a tutti i documenti
- Migliora i tuoi voti
- Unisciti a milioni di studenti
What Drives Athletes? The Basics of Sports Motivation
Motivation is simply the reason why we do things in sport. Think of it as your internal engine that determines how hard you'll train, whether you'll stick with your sport when things get tough, and how much effort you'll put into each session.
There are two main types that work in completely different ways. Intrinsic motivation comes from within - it's about doing something because you genuinely love it. Extrinsic motivation comes from outside sources like trophies, praise, or avoiding your coach's disapproval.
Most successful athletes have a mix of both, but understanding the difference can make or break long-term sporting success. The key is knowing which type creates lasting commitment and which one might actually harm performance if used incorrectly.
Quick Tip: Athletes with strong intrinsic motivation are far more likely to stick with their sport long-term, even when external rewards disappear.
2
of 6Iscriviti per mostrare il contenuto. È gratis!
- Accesso a tutti i documenti
- Migliora i tuoi voti
- Unisciti a milioni di studenti
Intrinsic Motivation: The Love of the Game
This is the gold standard of sports motivation - when athletes genuinely love what they're doing. Intrinsic motivation includes the pure enjoyment of playing, the satisfaction of mastering new skills, and that incredible buzz you get from competition.
Picture a GAA player who trains twice a week and plays every Sunday without getting paid a penny. They're there because they love the challenge, enjoy the craic with teammates, and feel pride representing their community. The feeling of perfectly striking a sliotar or scoring a point becomes its own reward.
Self-improvement is another huge intrinsic driver. Athletes who are intrinsically motivated focus on beating their personal bests, perfecting technique, and pushing their own boundaries. They don't need external pressure because the challenge itself is enough.
Remember: Intrinsically motivated athletes show much higher persistence and are more likely to continue training even without external rewards.
3
of 6Iscriviti per mostrare il contenuto. È gratis!
- Accesso a tutti i documenti
- Migliora i tuoi voti
- Unisciti a milioni di studenti
Extrinsic Motivation: External Rewards and Pressures
Extrinsic motivation is all about the external stuff - what you can gain or avoid by participating in sport. This includes tangible rewards like trophies, medals, prize money, and sponsorship deals, plus intangible rewards such as praise from coaches, fame, social status, or avoiding punishment.
Think about a professional rugby player for Leinster or Munster. Their salary, performance bonuses, and the prestige of winning the URC or Champions Cup are massive external motivators. These rewards can be incredibly powerful, especially in the short term.
The tricky bit? Extrinsic motivation can sometimes backfire. If someone starts playing purely for rewards and those rewards disappear, their motivation often vanishes too. It's like taking away someone's salary - suddenly the job becomes much less appealing.
Key Point: Extrinsic rewards aren't bad, but they work best when supporting, not replacing, genuine love for the sport.
4
of 6Iscriviti per mostrare il contenuto. È gratis!
- Accesso a tutti i documenti
- Migliora i tuoi voti
- Unisciti a milioni di studenti
When Motivation Types Clash: The Overjustification Effect
Here's where things get interesting - and where many coaches go wrong. The overjustification effect happens when external rewards actually damage internal motivation. If an athlete who loves their sport suddenly starts getting loads of external rewards, their focus can shift from enjoying the game to chasing the prizes.
Imagine a teenager who starts going to the gym because a doctor recommended it (extrinsic), but over time develops a genuine love for getting stronger and the stress relief it provides (intrinsic). That's motivation working perfectly together.
Now picture the opposite: a young footballer who adores playing suddenly gets offered money for every goal scored. Their focus might shift from the joy of playing to hitting targets for cash. Remove the money, and they might lose interest completely.
Exam Alert: The overjustification effect is a crucial concept - remember that too many external rewards can kill the love of the game.
5
of 6Iscriviti per mostrare il contenuto. È gratis!
- Accesso a tutti i documenti
- Migliora i tuoi voti
- Unisciti a milioni di studenti
Real-World Applications: From Club to Professional Level
Let's look at how this works in practice. A club GAA player is primarily intrinsically motivated - they play for love of the game, community pride, and personal satisfaction. Any external rewards (like county medals) are bonuses, not the main driver.
A professional athlete needs both types working together. Yes, they're motivated by salary and trophies, but to reach that level, they must have genuine passion for their sport. You can't fake the dedication needed for elite performance without some internal drive.
Coaches should focus on building intrinsic motivation first. Make training fun and varied, celebrate personal improvements not just wins, give positive feedback about effort and progress, and involve players in decision-making. Use external rewards carefully - to recognise achievement, not control behaviour.
Coach's Corner: The best coaches create athletes who train hard because they want to, not because they have to.
6
of 6Iscriviti per mostrare il contenuto. È gratis!
- Accesso a tutti i documenti
- Migliora i tuoi voti
- Unisciti a milioni di studenti
Key Takeaways for Success
Motivation drives everything in sport - from your first training session to Olympic gold. Intrinsic motivation (internal drive) creates lasting commitment and enjoyment, whilst extrinsic motivation (external rewards) provides short-term power but can be risky if overused.
The sweet spot? A strong foundation of genuine love for your sport, supported by appropriate external recognition. Athletes who find this balance show better persistence, higher performance, and lifelong participation in physical activity.
For your exams, remember that fostering intrinsic motivation should be every coach's priority, whilst the overjustification effect shows why too many external rewards can backfire spectacularly.
Bottom Line: The athletes who last longest and perform best are those who genuinely love what they do - everything else is just the cherry on top.
Pensavamo che non l'avreste mai chiesto....
Che cos'è l'assistente AI di Knowunity?
Il nostro assistente AI è costruito specificamente per le esigenze degli studenti. Sulla base dei milioni di contenuti presenti sulla piattaforma, possiamo fornire agli studenti risposte davvero significative e pertinenti. Ma non si tratta solo di risposte, l'assistente è in grado di guidare gli studenti attraverso le loro sfide quotidiane di studio, con piani di studio personalizzati, quiz o contenuti nella chat e una personalizzazione al 100% basata sulle competenze e sugli sviluppi degli studenti.
Dove posso scaricare l'applicazione Knowunity?
È possibile scaricare l'applicazione dal Google Play Store e dall'Apple App Store.
Knowunity è davvero gratuita?
Sì, hai accesso completamente gratuito a tutti i contenuti nell'app e puoi chattare o seguire i Creatori in qualsiasi momento. Sbloccherai nuove funzioni crescendo il tuo numero di follower. Inoltre, offriamo Knowunity Premium, che consente di studiare senza alcun limite!!
Contenuti più popolari di LCPE
4LCPEHealthy Eating Guidelines
This section explores national healthy eating guidelines, such as the food pyramid or healthy eating plate, to promote balanced dietary choices.
5th Year50
LCPEBiomechanics of Movement
Applying fundamental biomechanical principles such as force, motion, levers, and stability to analyse and improve human movement efficiency and performance in sport.
6th Year200
LCPEFactors effecting sports psychology ( confidence and self efficacy)
Higher Level LCPE psychological preprration notes
5th Year230
LCPETechnology in Sport
Investigating how technology is used in areas such as performance analysis, equipment design, officiating, and athlete monitoring to enhance training and competition.
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Contenuti più popolari
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5th Year4264
EnglishKey Quotes : Sive
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IrishIrish poetry 2027
Iníon + Dínit an Bhróin
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IrishLC HL notes- Iníon (poem)
Includes poem in English and Irish, theme, key words & phrases
5th Year2284
EnglishCultural Context : Shawshank Redemption : Sive : Small Things Like These
Comparative Study : Cultural Context : Shawshank Redemption, Sive and Small Things Like These
6th Year1430
IrishMo Ghrá-sa (Idir Lúibíní)
Notes on mo ghrá-sa
5th Year380
IrishAn Gaeilge Aiste
Irish Language essay
6th Year1320
Non c'è niente di adatto? Esplorare altre aree tematiche.
Recensioni dei nostri utenti. Ci adorano - e anche tu, vedrai .
4.6/5App Store
4.7/5Google Play
L'applicazione è molto facile da usare e ben progettata. Finora ho trovato tutto quello che cercavo e ho potuto imparare molto dalle presentazioni! Utilizzerò sicuramente l'app per i compiti in classe! È molto utile anche come fonte di ispirazione.
Stefano Sutente iOS
Questa applicazione è davvero grande! Ci sono tantissimi appunti e aiuti con lo studio [...]. La mia materia problematica, per esempio, è il francese e l'app ha così tante opzioni per aiutarmi. Grazie a questa app ho migliorato il mio francese. La consiglio a tutti.
Samantha Klichutente Android
Wow, sono davvero stupita. Ho appena provato l'app perché l'ho vista pubblicizzata molte volte e sono rimasta assolutamente sbalordita. Questa app è L'AIUTO che cercate per la scuola e soprattutto offre tantissime cose, come allenamenti e schede, che a me personalmente sono state MOLTO utili.
Annautente iOS