““Adult and Child PerceptionsAdult and Child Perceptionsof Children’s Motivations to Participate in of Children’s Motivations to Participate in

Youth Sports”Youth Sports”

Daniel Frankl, Ph.D.

Department of Kinesiology and Nutritional science

California State University, Los Angeles

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Describing the Problem What has already been done and

what have we learned from it? Why was there a need for another

study on attitudes about youth sports programs?

The ProblemThe Problem Adult supervised non-school youth sports

programs are rapidly growing and cater to some 25 million kids.

Almost 50% of the children ages 5-16 participate in youth sports.

90% of parents encourage their children to engage in sports.

The Problem (continued)The Problem (continued)

60% of parents are involved in youth sports programs.

85% of parents have concerns about youth sports programs

Physical education professionals have voiced serious concerns about non-school adult supervised youth sport leagues .

HYPOTHESESHYPOTHESES Over all children, regardless of income or Over all children, regardless of income or

ethnicity, will rank self-regulated items (e.g., ethnicity, will rank self-regulated items (e.g., “fun,” “learning new skills,” “improving,” and “fun,” “learning new skills,” “improving,” and “team work”) ahead of other- controlled items “team work”) ahead of other- controlled items (e.g., “winning,” “trophies,” “be popular,” and (e.g., “winning,” “trophies,” “be popular,” and “get to a higher level of competition”).“get to a higher level of competition”).

Overall parents, regardless of income or Overall parents, regardless of income or ethnicity, will closely predict their child’s ethnicity, will closely predict their child’s motivations.motivations.

Children will differ in their motivations to Children will differ in their motivations to participate in youth sports based on age, participate in youth sports based on age, gender, length of involvement, and type of gender, length of involvement, and type of activity.activity.

What has already been done and What has already been done and

what have we learned from it?what have we learned from it?

A common sense approach to studying the value of youth sports has been to examine children’s motivations to join, participate enthusiastically, and/or drop out.

A number of studies probed children’s motivation to participate in youth sports programs:

Ewing & Seefeldt (1990)Gill, Gross, & Huddlestone (1981)Gould, Feltz, Weiss, & Petlichkoff (1982)Griffin (1978)McElroy & Kirkendal (1980)Sapp & Haubenstricker (1978)Swell (1992)Wankel & Kreisel (1985)

McElroy and Kirkendal (1980)McElroy and Kirkendal (1980) 2,000+ children, average age 11.9 selected one of the

following as their most important reason for playing a sport:

to play as well as you can (personal performance) to play fairly, by the rules at all times (fair play) everyone on the team should get to play (total

participation) to defeat your opponent or the other team (winning

orientation)

McElroy and Kirkendal (1980)McElroy and Kirkendal (1980)

Most Important Reason for Playing Sports

Males Females

Winning 13.5% 04.6%

Personal Perform. 51.0% 48.3%

Fair Play 24.4% 37.6%

Total Participation 11.0% 09.4%

American Youth and Sport Participation American Youth and Sport Participation StudyStudy

Ewing & Seefeldt (1990)Ewing & Seefeldt (1990) The Athletic Footwear Association commissioned Drs.

Martha Ewing and Vern Seefeldt of the Youth Sport Institute at Michigan State University to investigate children’s reasons for participation and/or dropping out from nonschool youth programs.

Boys’ and girls’ (N=10,000) were asked: Why they participate? Why they quit? How they feel about winning?

American Youth and Sport Participation American Youth and Sport Participation StudyStudy

Ewing & Seefeldt (1990)Ewing & Seefeldt (1990) Highlights of the Study:

Sport participation, and the desire to participate in sports, decline sharply and steadily between ages 10 and 18.

“Fun” is a pivotal reason for being in a sport, and lack of fun is a leading reason for dropping out.

Young participants do not consider winning as a major benefit of sport competition.

Motivations to participate differ greatly within and in between athletes.

CHILDREN’S RANK ORDER OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CHILDREN’S RANK ORDER OF THE MOST IMPORTANT

REASONS FOR PLAYING THEIR BEST SCHOOL SPORT OR REASONS FOR PLAYING THEIR BEST SCHOOL SPORT OR DROPPING OUT FROM YOUTH SPORTSDROPPING OUT FROM YOUTH SPORTS

REASON FOR PLAYING REASON FOR DROPPING OUT

01 TO HAVE FUN 01 I LOST INTEREST02 TO IMPROVE MY SKILLS 02 I WAS NOT HAVING FUN03 TO STAY IN SHAPE 03 IT TOOK TOO MUCH TIME04 TO DO SOMETHING 04 COACH WAS A POOR I’M GOOD AT TEACHER 05 FOR THE EXCITEMENT OF 05 TOO MUCH PRESSURE (WORRY)

COMPETITION06 TO GET EXERCISE 06 WANTED NON-SPORT ACTIVITY07 TO PLAY AS PART OF A 07 I WAS TIRED OF IT

TEAM08 FOR THE CHALLENGE OF 08 NEEDED MORE STUDY TIME

COMPETITION09 TO LEARN NEW SKILLS 09 COACH PLAYED FAVORITES10 TO WIN 10 SPORT WAS BORING

11 OVER-EMPHASIS ON WINNING

Reproduced from Ewing, M. E., & Seefeldt, V. (1990). American youth sports participation: A study of 10,000 students and their feelings about sport. North Palm Beach, FL: Athletic Footwear Association.

THE 12 MOST IMPORTANT REASONS I PLAY MY BEST THE 12 MOST IMPORTANT REASONS I PLAY MY BEST SCHOOL SPORTSCHOOL SPORT

BOYS GIRLS01 TO HAVE FUN 01 TO HAVE FUN02 TO IMPROVE SKILLS 02 TO STAY IN SHAPE03 FOR THE EXCITEMENT 03 TO GET EXERCISE

OF COMPETITION04 TO DO SOMETHING 04 TO IMPROVE SKILLS

I’M GOOD AT05 TO STAY IN SHAPE 05 TO DO SOMETHING I'M

GOOD AT06 FOR THE CHALLENGE 06 TO BE PART OF A TEAM

OF COMPETITION07 TO BE PART OF A TEAM 07 FOR THE EXCITEMENT OF

COMPETITION08 TO WIN 08 TO LEARN NEW SKILLS09 TO GO TO A HIGHER 09 FOR THE TEAM SPIRIT

LEVEL OF COMPETITION10 TO GET EXERCISE 10 FOR THE CHALLENGE OF

COMPETITION11 TO LEARN NEW SKILLS 11 TO GO TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF COMPETITION12 FOR THE TEAM SPIRIT 12 TO WIN

Reproduced from Ewing, M. E., & Seefeldt, V. (1990)

THE 6 MOST IMPORTANT CHANGES I WOULD MAKE THE 6 MOST IMPORTANT CHANGES I WOULD MAKE TO GET INVOLVED AGAIN IN A SPORT I DROPPEDTO GET INVOLVED AGAIN IN A SPORT I DROPPED

“I would play again if…”

BOYS GIRLS01 PRACTICES WERE 01 PRACTICES WERE MORE FUN MORE FUN02 I COULD PLAY MORE 02 NO CONFLICT WITH STUDIES03 COACHES UNDERSTOOD 03 COACHES UNDERSTOOD

PLAYERS BETTER PLAYERS BETTER04 NO CONFLICT WITH 04 NO CONFLICT WITH SOCIAL

STUDIES LIFE 05 COACHES WERE BETTER 05 I COULD PLAY MORE TEACHERS

06 NO CONFLICT WITH 06 COACHES WERE BETTER

SOCIAL LIFE TEACHERS

Reproduced from Ewing, M. E., & Seefeldt, V. (1990)

METHODMETHODSubjects Subjects (N=566)(N=566)

Mothers (N=108), fathers (N=105), boys (N=170), and girls (N=171) from the Los Angeles area were surveyed during the 1996-97 youth leagues season (Total = 554 or 97.88%).

Ethnic DistributionEthnic DistributionAfrican American (N=16; 2.87%)Asian (N=105; 18.85%)Latino/Latina (N=313; 56.19%)Caucasian (N=90; 16.16%)Pacific Islander (N=5; 0.90%)Native American (N=7; 1.25%)Filipino (N=21; 3.77%)TOTAL = 557 (99.99% / 98.4%)

Youth Sports Youth Sports (N=509; (N=509; 89.93%)89.93%)

Baseball/SoftballBaseball/Softball 32 53 32 53 16.716.7Basketball 48 48 Basketball 48 48 18.818.8FootballFootball 07 31 07 31 07.507.5SoccerSoccer 25 73 25 73 19.219.2VolleyballVolleyball 31 07 31 07 07.507.5Drill teamDrill team 39 00 39 00 07.607.6SwimmingSwimming 30 11 30 11 08.008.0TrackTrack 07 07 07 07 02.702.7TennisTennis 33 08 33 08 08.008.0OtherOther 07 12 07 12 03.703.7

Fem. Male %

Parent Income Parent Income (N=213; (N=213; 84.04%)84.04%)

Under $10,000Under $10,000 1111 06.1406.14$10,000-$14,999$10,000-$14,999 0505 02.7902.79$15,000-$19,999$15,000-$19,999 0606 03.3503.35$20,000-$24,999$20,000-$24,999 0707 03.9103.91$25,000-$29,999$25,000-$29,999 1515 08.3808.38$30,000-$34,999$30,000-$34,999 1313 07.2607.26$35,000-$39,999$35,000-$39,999 2222 12.2912.29$40,000-$44,999$40,000-$44,999 1818 10.0610.06$45,000-$49,999$45,000-$49,999 2424 13.4113.41Over $50,000Over $50,000 5858 32.4032.40

TotalTotal 179 179 99.99%99.99%

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NN %

InstrumentInstrument

Child and parent forms each including 18 Child and parent forms each including 18 statements about “participation in one’s best statements about “participation in one’s best sport outside school” were used (adapted from sport outside school” were used (adapted from the AFA 1990, landmark study). Participants the AFA 1990, landmark study). Participants checked each item on a 1-7 (not at all checked each item on a 1-7 (not at all important /.../ of utmost importance) Likert scale.important /.../ of utmost importance) Likert scale.

Participants were also asked to select the “one Participants were also asked to select the “one MOST important reason…” from the 18 original MOST important reason…” from the 18 original statements (statements (see handoutsee handout).).

16

ProceduresProcedures A uniform format explaining what needs A uniform format explaining what needs

to be done was usedto be done was used Data was collected from children and their Data was collected from children and their

parents whenever possibleparents whenever possible Yellow forms were handed out to children Yellow forms were handed out to children

5-18 (investigator read statements to non-5-18 (investigator read statements to non-readers; a Spanish translation was readers; a Spanish translation was available when needed). Children were available when needed). Children were instructed to establish a “quick gut feeling instructed to establish a “quick gut feeling about each item” and then proceed and about each item” and then proceed and carefully mark their choice.carefully mark their choice.

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ProceduresProcedures Parents completed a “Blue” form and were Parents completed a “Blue” form and were

instructed to, without consulting with their instructed to, without consulting with their child, indicate what “...to their best child, indicate what “...to their best knowledge their child’s choice would have knowledge their child’s choice would have been for all items.”been for all items.”

Participants were instructed to simply “copy Participants were instructed to simply “copy the ONE statement they felt was MOST the ONE statement they felt was MOST important, or add a new reason.important, or add a new reason.

Data was collected “court-side” on practice Data was collected “court-side” on practice days and forms were coded for parent/child days and forms were coded for parent/child match pairing (no names). match pairing (no names).

RESULTSRESULTS DAD BOY MOM GIRL01 Q14 (6.30) Q14 (6.14) Q14 (6.22) Q14 (6.19) 02 Q07 (5.84) Q01 (5.81) Q07 (5.99) Q04 (6.00) 03 Q01 (5.65) Q07 (5.68) Q05 (5.87) Q01 (5.88)04 Q05 (5.65) Q09 (5.66) Q11 (5.86) Q07 (5.87)05 Q18 (5.52) Q06 (5.64) Q08 (5.62) Q18 (5.83)

Q14 -- To have funQ7 -- To learn new skillsQ1 -- To improve her/his skillsQ4 -- To stay in shapeQ5 -- To play as part of a team

Q11 -- To get exercise

Q6 -- For the excitement of competition

Q8 -- To meet new friends

Q9 -- To do something he/she is good at

Q18 -- For the team spirit

RESULTSRESULTS DAD BOY MOM GIRL10 Q03 (5.52)111213 Q02 (4.88) Q03 (4.78)14 Q16 (4.70) Q16 (4.71)15 Q16 (4.60) Q10 (4.76) Q13 (4.56) Q12 (4.56)16 Q03 (4.38) Q16 (4.56) Q10 (3.91) Q02 (4.40)17 Q10 (3.92) Q12 (4.49) Q03 (3.87) Q10 (4.27)18 Q17 (3.83) Q17 (4.44) Q17 (3.58) Q17 (3.64)

Q2 -- To be with her/his friends

Q3 -- To win

Q10 -- For trophies and recognition

Q12 -- To feel important

Q13 -- For the challenge of competition

Q16 -- He/she likes the coaches

Q17 --To be popular by being a good athlete

DiscussionDiscussion “To have fun” was the clear first choice for Moms,

Dads, Girls and Boys. “To learn new skills” was the second choice for

Dads & Moms, and 3rd & 4th for Boys and Girls respectively. The findings by earlier studies (e.g., Ewing & Seefeldt, 1990; McElroy & Kirkendal, 1980) were replicated in this study.

“Winning came in 10th place for Boys, 13th for Girls, 16th for Dads and 17th for Moms. This finding is very consistent with the existing literature.

DiscussionDiscussion “To stay in shape” and “To get exercise”

were top choices for Girls and Moms. When asked to indicate what they liked least about their best sport, many Girls indicated their dislike of exercising, sweating, and getting tired. It appears that Girls in this study felt pressured to choose “To stay in shape” but did not like to engage in activities that lead to improved physical fitness. Societal pressures on girls to look a certain way are apparent.

Over all children, regardless of income Over all children, regardless of income or ethnicity, will rank self-regulated or ethnicity, will rank self-regulated items (e.g., “fun,” “learning new skills,” items (e.g., “fun,” “learning new skills,” “improving,” and “team work”) ahead of “improving,” and “team work”) ahead of other- controlled items (e.g., “winning,” other- controlled items (e.g., “winning,” “trophies,” “be popular,” and “get to a “trophies,” “be popular,” and “get to a higher level of competition”).higher level of competition”).

ConclusionsConclusions If it ain’t fun children won’t play. For kids to have fun they must improve their

skills. Parents seem to want what we the “experts”

consider appropriate. So let’s work together. “Fun,” “improving skills,” “playing as a team,”

getting in shape…,” are all universally endorsed by all levels of analysis. So let’s concentrate on the content of the programs and not the ethnic, social, and or economic factors.

Coaches seem to try too hard. Let’s get involved and show them the way!

QuestionsQuestions&&

CommentsComments

List of Reasons for ParticipationList of Reasons for Participation

1 To improve her/his skills

2 To be with her/his friends

3 To win

4 To stay in shape

5 To play as part of a team

6 For the excitement of competition

7 To learn new skills

8 To meet new friends

9 To do something he/she is good at

List of Reasons for ParticipationList of Reasons for Participation

10 For trophies and recognition

11 To get exercise

12 To feel important

13 For the challenge of competition

14 To have fun

15 To get to a higher level of competition

16 He/she likes the coaches

17 To be popular by being a good athlete

18 For the team spirit

Overall Reason for Overall Reason for Participation in Youth Participation in Youth

SportsSports

Of all the reasons listed above, what is the MOST important reason for your child playing in her/his best sport outside of school? Please write the reason on the lines below:

____________________________

____________________________

Strongest Reason for not Strongest Reason for not Participating in Youth Participating in Youth

SportsSports

What do you like least about playing in your best sport outside of school? Please write the reason on the lines below:

____________________________

____________________________

ReferencesReferences Ewing, M. E. & Seefeldt, V. (1990). American youth

and sports participation: A study of 10,000 students and their feelings about sport. North Palm Beach, FL: Athletic Footwear Association. (Sponsored by: Athletic Footwear Association __ AFA, 200 Castlewood Drive, North Palm Beach, Florida 33408; Gregg Hartley, Executive Director, phone # 407 840_1161).

Gill, D., Gross, J. B., & Huddlestone, S. (1981). Participation motivation in youth sport. International Journal in Sport Psychology, 14, 1-14.

ReferencesReferences Gould, D., Feltz, D. L., Weiss, M., & Petlichkoff, L. M.

(1982). Participating motives in competitive youth swimmers. In T. Orlick, J. T. Partington, & J. H. Salmela (Eds.) Mental training for coaches and athletes (pp. 57-58). Ottawa: Coaching Association of Canada.

Griffin (1978). Why children participate in youth sports. Paper presented at American Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (AAHPER) Convention, Kansas City, Missouri.

ReferencesReferences Orlick, T. (1974). The athletic dropout–A high

price of inefficiency. CAHPER Journal, Nov.-Dec., 21-27.

Pooley, J. (1981). Dropouts from sports: A case study of boys’ age-group soccer. Paper presented at American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Convention, Boston, Massachusetts.

ReferencesReferences Sapp, M., & Haubenstricker, J. (1978). Motivation for

joining and reasons for not continuing in youth sports programs in Michigan. Paper presented at American Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (AAHPER) Convention, Kansas City, Missouri.

Teenagers’ motivations for sports participation help predict lifelong habits. (1990). North Palm Beach, FL: Athletic Footware Association.

ReferencesReferences Wankel, L. M., & Kreisel, P. (1985). Factors

underlying enjoyment of youth sports: Sport and age group comparisons. Journal of Sport Psychology, 7, 51-64.