Motivation of Slovenian and Norwegian Nordic Athletes towards Sports, Education and Dual Career

Abstract

This research examined the motivation towards dual career of Norwegian and Slovenian elite Nordic athletes who compete in specific sports disciplines (cross-country skiing, ski jumping and biathlon) where winter conditions are essential. Due to preparations, trainings and competitions these athletes are often far away from their place of residence and education and make every effort to coordinate their sports career and their education. The sample consisted of 51 Norwegian (female: n = 18, age: 25.2 ± 3.7; male: n = 33, age: 23.6 ± 3.6) and 66 Slovenian athletes (female: n = 31, age: 22.9 ± 5.82; male: n = 35, age: 22.0 ± 4.59) who participate in the elite competitions. We have examined the links between three types of motivation (for study, sports and dual career) and socio-demographic characteristics. The factor analysis of the SAMSAQ-EU questionnaire demonstrated a three-factor model and the Crombach's Alpha reliability test confirmed the reliability of the measurement of three latent dimensions of motivation: AM (alpha = 0.878), SAM (alpha = 0.738) and CAM (alpha = 0.694). The results showed that female athletes are more motivated towards education than male athletes and that Slovenian athletes are more motivated towards sports careers than their Norwegian peers. The parents of the respondents from Norway (fathers as well as mothers) tend to have higher education than the parents of the Slovenian athletes, whereas the mothers have higher education than the fathers. More educated (Norwegian) parents contributed significantly to their children's involvement in sports, whereas Slovenian athletes would generally choose their sports career by themselves. Our research did not show significant links between the factor of motivation towards education and the factor of motivation towards sports. Although Norway and Slovenia both experience the lack of structural measures for education of elite athletes in higher education, student-athletes of both countries are highly motivated towards academic and sports career.