Abstract:

Objectives:
A high level of motivation to participate in sports is a prerequisite for competitive athletic involvement and is significantly influenced by existing motives. The combination of these two psychological components leads to a high self-efficacy-belief, which is examined in the present study in terms of its dependence on changing environmental conditions.

Method:
The study examined 658 athletes (Nfemale=349, Nmale=309) surveyed between 2016 and 2025 on their need for achievement motives (AMS Sport, Elbe, Wenhold & Müller, 2005), sport motivation (SMT, Fintrup & Schuler, 2007) and self-efficacy-beliefs (Jerusalem & Schwarzer, 1999) in the context of competitive athletics promotion. All participants were enrolled in the Magdeburg sports school system and ranged in age from 9 to 16 years (mean age=11.43; SD=1.13). The groups were subdivided based on the time period and the associated classification into pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic groups.

Results:
There were some significant differences in the cross-section, which are particularly significant when viewed separately by gender. A highly significant difference was found between the mean confidence scores of female athletes (mean=32.93; SD=5.25) and male athletes (mean=34.23; SD=5.04) (p=.001, d=.251). Significant differences were also found in fear of failure (p = .024; d =-.176) and thus also in net hope (d=.015, d=.191). The fear of failure was more pronounced among female athletes, and their net hope was reduced.
A comparison of the groups recorded before and during the pandemic revealed no significant differences. A comparison of the pre-pandemic group (N=329, mean=33.18, SD=5.2) with the post-pandemic group (N=201, mean=34.23, SD=4.65) revealed significant differences in confidence (p=.02, d=.21). A comparison of the post-pandemic group (N = 128) with the pandemic group revealed differences in goal setting (p=.044, d=.23), with the pandemic group (mean=34.29, SD=6.2) scoring lower than the post-pandemic group (mean=35.61, SD=5.51). The three groups also differed in the development of the "fear of failure motive" in the longitudinal section of three measurement points, with the pandemic group showing significantly increased values and the results differing at the various points in time without these being significant (p=.079, F=2.582; partial η²=.033).

Conclusions:
The results of the study align with previous findings that demonstrate how negative pandemic effects can impact goal setting and the associated heightened fear of failure, which often leads to a reduction in confidence. These findings should be used to implement goal-setting coaching in this area in particular, in line with the existing motivational structure. The objective is to establish a support system for optimising dual careers at an elite sports school, depending on the changing academic and athletic requirements throughout the career path and in line with personal development.

Keywords:

Motive structure, motivation, education, dual career, elite sports schools.