BASIC PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS AND SELF-DETERMINED MOTIVATION IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION TO PREDICT HEALTH-RELATED FITNESS LEVEL

The aim of this study was to test whether motivational regulations have a mediator role between students' basic psychological needs and physical fitness level in high school physical education. Students completed the questionnaire pack tapping their level of basic psychological needs satisfaction and motivational regulations. To assess students' health-related physical fitness level EUROFIT for adults physical fitness test battery was followed and ten motor fitness parameters (body mass index, sit and reach, flamingo balance, vertical jump, hand grip, plate tapping, sit ups in 30 seconds, bent arm hang, 20 m. shuttle run, 10x5 shuttle run) were assessed during the lesson. The mediation test was carried out through series regression analysis. The results revealed that the motivational regulations partially mediated the relationship between competence and the fitness score. Similarly, motivational regulations partially mediated the relationship between relatedness and the fitness score. The results support the tenets of Self-Determination Theory and manifests that physical education teachers can increase the students' physical fitness level by creating a lesson environment that satisfies their needs for competence and relatedness.