Sport Specialization and Sport Motivation in Middle School-Aged Athletes

Context: Sport specialization has been assumed to have psychosocial ramifications for athletes, especially autonomous motivation, which has been associated with continued sport participation. Sport dropout is common in youth athletes, yet it is unknown how sport specialization may affect this population psychosocially. Objective: To determine the association of sport specialization with autonomous and controlled motivation and amotivation in middle school-aged athletes. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to athletes via schools, club sports, and social media. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 178 athletes (male = 59%; private school = 51%; grade: sixth = 20%, seventh = 32%, eighth = 48%) completed the questionnaire. Main Outcome Measure(s): The questionnaire assessed demographics, sport participation, and motivation using the Youth Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire. Sport specialization was defined using a modified 3 -point scale (low, moderate, or high) and multisport versus single -sport athletes. Nonparametric tests were used to analyze the differences among the types of motivation and specialization levels and between multisport and single -sport athletes. Results: Sport specialization categories were not significantly associated with autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, or amotivation. No significant associations were present between multisport or single -sport athletes and any type of motivation. However, multisport athletes had higher scores for intrinsic motivation, a subscale of autonomous motivation, compared with single -sport athletes (single sport: median = 5.00, 25th-75th quartile = 4.50-5.00; multisport: median = 5.00, 25th-75th quartile = 5.00-5.00; P= .04). Conclusions: Sport motivation did not differ between sport specialization groups in middle school athletes. Dropout from sport is common in this age group but is multifactorial in nature. A lack of sport motivation could be a factor for some athletes, but all specialization groups appeared to have similar outcomes. Our exploratory analysis suggests that clinicians may consider having an open dialogue with single -sport athletes, their parents or guardians, and coaches to ensure that athletes are enjoying their sport.