The Impact of Extrinsic Motivation on Athletic Performance

Abstract

Youth participation in sports include recreational, organized, informal programs as well as Olympic hopefuls. These young athletes can have positive or negative experiences from their participation in sports. Perhaps an important aspect of what makes those experiences either positive or negative is how they are motivated to participate in these activities. Motivation in these young athletes can come in various ways. One main theme found in the literature that has a direct influence on their experiences is extrinsic motivation. It is important to understand how these athletes' performances are affected by outside influences, such as parents, coaches and peers. This synthesis of the research of literature examines how extrinsic motivation impacts athletic performance