Basic psychological needs and motivation in young brazilian basketball players

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the dimensions that integrate the constructs motivation in sport and basic psychological needs of athletes who are in the sport initiation phase at basketball. In the first phase of the study, which was quantitative, participated 53 basketball players who took part in the Parana Scholar Games (Brazil)-Municipal Phase. In the second phase of the study, qualitative, participated of the investigation 12 basketball players who integrated the first phase of the study and were choose randomly. Data collection used: the Scale of Motivation for Sport, the Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Questionnaire, socio demographic variables and a semi structure interview. The results showed that young players have higher scores in the intrinsic motivation dimension and lower satisfaction in the autonomy dimension of the basic psychological needs construct. However, there was not difference between the motivation and the psychological basic needs when compared with the time of practice in the sport modality. In addition, the study identified that the admiration for the sport modality, the relationships made in trainings and with the family by sport are important factors for the insertion and maintenance of the young basketball player in the sport.