SPORTS MOTIVATION: 6 TRAITS OF GREAT ATHLETES - GEOGRAFÍA - 2025

The sports motivation is what drives the athlete to act at all times and is related to why what is done. It is different from activation, which is the start-up of the organism that allows the execution of a behavior. Activation is necessary although it is not enough for there to be a motivational state.

For a person to start and be persistent in the execution of a sporting activity, it is important that there is some satisfaction in it. Because it is a tough activity that requires effort, it requires motivation to do it.

What motivates the athlete?

The reasons why an athlete is motivated are:

-In context: win a medal, social recognition, win a cup.

-Individual: they vary from one person to another and depend on personal history. For example practicing a sport by family tradition.

Types of motivation

Basic motivation: the reasons that lead an athlete to practice an activity. For example, playing tennis because he likes that sport.

Daily motivation: the reasons for practicing the activity constantly every day or several days a week.

Therefore, there can be 4 situations:

-High basic and high daily motivation: it is the ideal situation, for example a boy who likes to play tennis and train).

-Low basic and high daily motivation: for example a girl who, although she likes to train, does not like sport itself.

-High basic and low everyday motivation: a boy who likes a sport but does not train.

-Basic low and low everyday motivation: a girl who does not like sports or training. In these cases it is better to abandon the practice of sport.

Moments when practicing a sport

The reasons that lead to the achievement of something are changing depending on the moment in which a person is with respect to the achievement of a goal. Three main moments can be identified:

Start

The sport has just started. In the beginning it is important that it be enjoyed, otherwise it will be difficult to start.

Keep

The reasons for maintaining the activity. They can be to improve what has been learned, the challenge, have fun or keep learning.

Abandonment

When it is abandoned it is for reasons such as not being competent, not having the expected results, pressure, conflicts, incompatibilities with other activities, boredom, anxiety…

The sport should be practiced according to the ability in that task. If the skill is too high and the task requirement is small, the athlete will be bored and if the skill is small and the task requirement is too high, they will feel anxiety.

Orientation towards motivation

Orientation refers to the goals that a person seeks when practicing a sport. There are two types of orientation towards motivation: towards the task and towards the results.

Task orientation

They are the people who seek to improve their skills in the activity they perform and strive to increase their skills and abilities, competing with themselves more than with others.

Because they don't pay attention to results, these people stay motivated longer and have more resistance to quitting. They are more persistent, resistant to failure and work harder. In addition, realistic or somewhat difficult but not unattainable goals are proposed.

These people have better long-term results and feel better well-being.

Examples: learning a new skill, improving in the practice of a sport.

Orientation towards the result

They are people who strive to achieve a result and success in something. They tend to be proud when they achieve the result they wanted and persist despite failures. However, they perceive success in comparison to others, which makes them dependent.

Examples: be successful in an activity, win over others.

Characteristics of great athletes and sportsmen

Although there are exceptions in the physical requirements, psychological aptitudes are essential in high-level athletes.

"Drive", concentration, resilience, persistence, self-discipline or self-control are some of those skills. These are the most important characteristics of high-level athletes:

1-Work ethic: a high-level athlete trains from 6 to 10 hours a day. Sandwiched between gym and sport.

2-Commitment: commitment to the objectives to be met and to improving the practice of sport.

3- Resilience: high-level athletes do not give up in the face of failures. They learn from them and move on.

3-Focus of attention: both to the short, medium and long term objectives, as well as to the aspects of the matches and individual activities.

4- Self- confidence: refers to confidence in one's own abilities and ability to achieve objectives.

5-Passion: related to task orientation, high-level athletes love to practice their sport.

6-Persistence: practice daily to advance skills.