Análisis de los perfiles motivacionales y su relación con los comportamientos adaptativos en las clases de educación física

Abstract

Based on the Self-Determination Theory, this study sought to analyse motivational profiles of Physical Education (PE) students, as well as to assess the relationship with several behaviours and attitudes toward PE classes. The sample consisted of 1,690 pupils aged 12 to 16, from different secondary schools of the Region of Extremadura. The results highlight the existence of four motivational profiles: Low Quality, Low Quantity, High Quantity, and High Quality. Moreover, data analysis showed that younger female individuals who practiced extracurricular physical activity had more self-determined profiles than the rest of participants. Lastly, it was demonstrated that the more self-determined motivational profiles are produced as a result of being more adaptive, such as to the importance of PE, enjoyment, and development of positive behaviours. Contrarily, boredom has an inverse process. As a conclusion, the study emphasised the importance of the motivational processes developed by pupils to explain several outcomes during PE classes.