Francisco Miguel Leo

The Importance of Parents’ Behavior in their Children’s Enjoyment and Amotivation in Sports

The main aim of the research was to examine the relationship between motivational orientations and parents’ behavior with regard to the players’ motivational orientation, motivational climate, enjoyment and amotivation. The sample comprised 723 athletes (M = 12.37, SD = 1.48) and 723 parents (M = 46.46, SD = 2.56). Players were male and female who belonged to federative basketball, handball, football and volleyball teams. Parents and athletes completed questionnaires that assessed motivational orientations, parents’ involvement in the practice as well as enjoyment and motivation in the sport. Results showed a positive relationship between parents’ support of the sport and players’ enjoyment and a negative relationship with players’ amotivation. Moreover, in players who perceived more pressure from their parents, there was a positive association with amotivation and a negative one with enjoyment. Lastly, it was emphasized that appropriate parental participation can promote an increase of players’ enjoyment of and motivation for sport

An analysis of home advantage in the top two Spanish professional football leagues

This study examines the effect of the points system on home advantage in the two top Spanish professional football divisions between the 1980–1981 and 2006–2007 seasons. From 1980–81, teams were awarded 2 points for a win. This was increased to 3 points starting in 1995–1996. Lower home advantage was expected with the 3-point system as a consequence of encouraging more attacking play from away teams. The results of an analysis of 20,992 games showed no significant differences in home advantage values between the First Division (66.3% before and 62.1% after the 3-point system) and the Second Division (65.6% before and 59.5% after). Nevertheless, there was a significant decrease in home advantage in both the First and Second Divisions after the introduction of the 3-point system. The results were compared with two similar studies of professional football in England.

Perceived coach-created and peer-created motivational climates and their associations with team cohesion and athlete satisfaction: evidence from a longitudinal study.

Abstract In this longitudinal study, we examined the extent to which perceived coach- and peer-created motivational climates are associated with athlete-group cohesion and satisfaction with participation among Spanish soccer players competing in the Third National Division. Multilevel modelling analyses showed that perceived coach-created task climate was positively related to perceived cohesion and players’ satisfaction with their participation within their team. Also, perceived peer-created task climate related positively to perceived cohesion. The results indicate the importance of considering peer-related aspects of the motivational climate in addition to considering the coach-related aspects of the motivational climate when examining motivational group dynamics in sport.

Analysis of cohesion and collective efficacy profiles for the performance of soccer players.

Abstract The principal aims of the study were to define different profiles of cohesion and perceived efficacy in soccer players and to measure their differences in performance. The subjects were 235 soccer players in the under-18 category who played in the National League in Spain and 15 coaches whose ages ranged from 29 to 45 years. Diverse instruments to assess cohesion, perceived efficacy, and expectations of success were used in the study. Moreover, we measured playing time and performance. The results of the study proved the existence of four cohesion and efficacy profiles that presented significant differences in expectations of success, playing time, and performance. Furthermore, significant differences were found in the distribution of players in the teams as a function of performance. The main conclusion of this study is that soccer players with higher cohesion and collective efficacy levels belonged to teams that completed the season at the top-level classification. In contrast, athletes with low cohesion and collective efficacy usually played in unsuccessful teams. Coaches and sports psychologists are encouraged to promote both social and task cohesion and collective efficacy to enhance team performance.

Effects of an intervention programme with teachers on the development of positive behaviours in Spanish physical education classes

Background: The physical education (PE) context has been emphasised as an ideal environment for developing positive behaviours among students. Under the Positive Youth Development paradigm, various initiatives have been conducted with the aim of promoting personal and social responsibility among adolescents. Self-Determination Theory has been widely used to analyse students’ motivational processes during PE classes. Purpose: This study aimed to measure the effects of a multidisciplinary intervention with teachers on the development of positive behaviours in PE classes. Participants: Twenty PE teachers participated in the study (Mage = 35 years; SD = 2.32) along with 777 of their students (Mage = 12.81 years; SD = .93). The teachers (male = 16; female = 4) were between the ages of 29 and 48 years (M = 35.2 years; SD = 2.32). The students who participated in this study (male = 377; female = 400) were divided into 52 classes and were between the ages of 12 and 16 years (M = 12.81; SD = .93). Research design: A quasi-experimental design was used that consisted of a control group and three groups in which an intervention was developed. In the control group, the teachers did not receive any type of intervention; in the second group, the teachers received a training programme to develop strategies for supporting basic psychological needs and promoting positive behaviours; in the third group, the teachers received a didactic unit to promote positive behaviours; and in the last group the teachers received a combination of the two previous interventions. Data analysis: A repeated-measures ANCOVA (analysis of covariance) was used for every dependent variable included in the study to analyse the effect of Group × Time interaction, including Gender and Grade Level as covariates. The fixed effects caused by Intercept, Group, Time, and the Group × Time interaction were calculated using compound symmetry as the type of covariance and restricted maximum likelihood as the estimation method. Findings: By examining the differences between pre-test and post-test, it was determined that in comparison with the students in the control group, the students from the three experimental groups had generally improved scores on the variables related to positive behaviours, such as perceptions of the teachers support, as well as the development of the targeted behaviours. Conclusions: These results provide information about the efficacy of an intervention programme with teachers that consists of strategies for developing positive behaviour and support for basic psychological needs to promote the development of positive student behaviour.

Adaptation and validation in Spanish of the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) with professional football players

BACKGROUND This investigation presents two studies with the goal of adapting and validating a short version of the Group Environment Questionnaire in the Spanish sport context with professional players. METHOD Study 1 used a sample of 377 male soccer players aged between 18 and 39 years ( M = 24.51, SD = 3.73), in a preliminary study using exploratory factor analysis. Study 2 used a sample of 604 professional male and female athletes, ages between 15 and 38 years ( M = 24.34, SD = 4.03). The data analyzed were collected at three moments of the season. For each measurement, we developed seven first- and second-order structures that were analyzed with confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS Study 1 indicated appropriate factorial validity (> .60) and internal consistency (> .70), with only Item 3 presenting a low factor loading (.11), so its drafting was modified in the next study. Study 2 revealed that the Spanish version of the GEQ has high levels of internal consistency (> .70) and acceptable fit index values in its original four first-order factor structure in all three measurements ( χ²/df = 4.39, CFI = .95, IFI = .95, RMSEA = .07, SRMR = .04, AIC = 271.09). Discriminant validity (from r = .45 to r = .72) and concurrent validity (from r = .21 to r = .60) also presented appropriate values. Lastly, we conducted analysis of invariance, confirming that the models established in the different measurements were invariant. CONCLUSIONS The short 12-item adaptation of the GEQ to Spanish is a valid and reliable instrument to measure team cohesion in professional male and female soccer players.

Analizando la implicacion deportiva en jovenes jugadores de baloncesto: Un análisis desde la Teoría de la Autodeterminación

A traves del siguiente trabajo se pretendio comprobar la implicacion deportiva de los jovenes jugadores de baloncesto, analizando la importancia de los otros significativos sobre los aspectos motivacionales, y como estas variables podian determinar dicha implicacion en el baloncesto. 284 jugadores de baloncesto con edades comprendidas entre los 11 y los 16 anos completaron diferentes cuestionarios encaminados a analizar estas variables. Los resultados indican como el clima motivacional creado por el entrenador, padres y companeros predice positivamente la satisfaccion la motivacion intrinseca a traves de la satisfaccion de las necesidades psicologicas basicas, y como la motivacion intrinseca predice la implicacion en la practica deportiva. Como conclusion, destacar la importancia que adquieren los comportamientos de los otros significativos (padres, entrenador y companeros) en los procesos motivacionales de los jugadores de baloncesto, comprobando la relevancia de estos aspectos para explicar la implicacion hacia el baloncesto.

Análisis de los procesos grupales en función del género en un contexto deportivo semiprofesional

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las diferencias de genero existentes en relacion al clima motivacional de los companeros y el entrenador, la cohesion y la eficacia colectiva. Los participantes fueron 75 jugadoresde futbol de tercera division masculina y 69 jugadoras de segunda division femenina, con edades comprendidas entre los 15 y 36 anos. Los resultados revelaron que los equipos femeninos obtuvieron valores mas elevados enla cohesion social que los equipos masculinos, mientras que los equipos masculinos percibieron un mayor clima con implicacion al ego entre los companeros en comparacion con los equipos femeninos. Por otro lado, tanto en equipos masculinos como femeninos, la eficacia colectiva se relaciono con la cohesion y el clima que implica a la tarea de los companeros y el entrenador.Ademas, la cohesion a la tarea se mostro como el mayor predictor de la eficacia colectiva. Finalmente, se discuten los resultados y se exponen las principales conclusiones del estudio.

Development and validation of Coaches’ Interpersonal Style Questionnaire

ABSTRACT Purpose: The objectives were to develop and validate the Coaches’ Interpersonal Style Questionnaire. The Coaches’ Interpersonal Style Questionnaire analyzes the interpersonal style adopted by coaches when implementing their strategy of supporting or thwarting athletes’ basic psychological needs. Method: In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis was performed with 265 Spanish male athletes, between 11- and 17-years-old, to confirm the internal structure of the questionnaire. Study 2 was conducted with 430 athletes, also between 11- and 17-years-old. Both confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory structural equation modeling were used to test a set of alternative models to find the best measurement model. Results: The hierarchical exploratory structural equation modeling model showed the best fit to the data and acceptable standardized factor loadings. Concurrent validity was revealed through correlational analysis of the basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration. Conclusion: This study provides a multi-dimensional questionnaire to assess coaches’ interpersonal style perceived by athletes.

Athletes’ perceptions of coaching competency and team conflict in sport teams: A multilevel analysis

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between coaching competency and team conflict, at individual and team levels, over the season. The participants were professional female and male soccer players, who participated in the First and Second Division. A longitudinal study was performed. At Time 1, the sample of participants consisted of 581 soccer players aged between 15 and 39 years. At Time 2, 549 players were recruited from the original sample aged between 15 and 37 years. Finally, at Time 3, the sample comprised 576 players aged between 15 and 37 years. All participants completed a multi-section questionnaire assessing coaching competency (motivation, game strategy, technique competency, and character-building competency) and team conflict (task conflict and relationship conflict). Results showed that both task and relationship conflict increased significantly over time. Multilevel modelling analysis showed that game strategy and character-building competencies negatively predicted both task and relationship conflicts at the individual level, whereas motivation competency was also added as a significant predictor of task conflict at the team level. Moreover, technique competency positively predicted task conflict at the team level. The current study suggests the importance of coaching competency in group dynamics in sport.