Tendencies in Action, Type of Sport and Training Style in Sportswomen

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to analyse whether there are differences in the action tendencies (assertive, aggressive and submissive) of female athletes depending on the type of sport they play (contact, non-contact). Research suggests that participants in non-contact sports show more mature reasoning regarding moral dilemmas of action tendencies in sport than participants in medium-high contact sports. 272 female athletes (149 from non-contact sports; 123 from contact sports) aged 11-16 years (M = 13.48, SD = 1.93) responded to three questionnaires. Different generalised linear models were tested and in all of them the type of sport (contact, non-contact) predicted assertive and aggressive action tendencies in sport in the presence of assertive and aggressive action tendencies in other contexts (trait) and the coach's interpersonal style. The results suggest that the type of sport played shapes action tendencies related to moral dilemmas in female athletes.