The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Relationship between Approach Motivational System and Sports Success among Elite Speed Skating Athletes and Physical Education Students

Abstract

Background: While the association between self-efficacy and sports success has been well established in previous studies, little is known regarding whether the basic approach motivation system contributes to this relationship in athletes. The study examines associations between self-reported temperamental approach disposition, self-efficacy, and predispositions to sports success in athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between August 3 and 30 November 2020. The participants were 156 athletes, aged 16–34 years (M = 21.57, SD = 3.58, 41.67% women), in two groups: 54 elite athletes in speed skating (EASS) and 102 physical education students (PES). The online survey consisted of the Reinforced Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and Sports Success Scale (SSS). Results: There were no differences in self-efficacy and sports success in terms of gender, sports discipline, and level of competitions. The Behavioral Activation System (BAS) results were lower in the EASS sample compared with in the PES group. Self-efficacy plays a mediating role in the relationships between BAS and sports success among athletes, with sport discipline as a moderator between BAS and self-efficacy. Sports success in speed skating relies strongly on BAS, while a weak link has been found in other sports disciplines. Conclusions: BAS is directly correlated to sports success and indirectly related through self-efficacy. Mental training should be focused on maintaining self-efficacy and reward motivation in athletes to increase their sports success.

Beyond Belief: Exploring the Alignment of Self-Efficacy, Self-Prediction, Self-Perception, and Actual Performance Measurement in a Squat Jump Performance—A Pilot Study

“…Although, in some cases, these interplays could be considered not extremely strong in terms of correlation strength, p -value < 0.01 and sample power stronger than 90% suggests that the found relationships are statistically significant and could be considered robust. This finding aligns with previous research that has demonstrated the influence of SE on various aspects of performance and achievement [ 10 , 11 , 16 ]. Athletes with higher SE tend to set more ambitious goals and exhibit greater determination to persist through rigorous training regimens.…”

“…Indeed, SE is emerging as a psychological skill training tool to influence an athlete’s performance [ 7 ] and sustain and ameliorate sport-specific performance over time [ 8 , 9 ]. Over the years, several studies have shown a positive correlation between SE and sport performance where, across various sporting and athletic endeavors, higher SE tends to be associated with enhanced performance outcomes [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. On the other hand, Moritz et al [ 10 ] outlined the limitations and perspectives of this relationship contrary to Bandura’s idea of sport performance, referred to as an achievement that needs specific and objective (quantitative outcomes) descriptive criteria [ 6 ].…”

Examining the validity of the polish short form version of the self-regulated learning—sport practice survey among competitive athletes

“…Theoretically, individuals who believe that they are more capable of performing domain behaviors are more motivated and more likely to be interested in the task ( Blecharz et al, 2014 ). Self-efficacy and capacity beliefs also motivate decisions to initiate an action, the amount of effort athletes will invest, and how long they will persist in behaviors when difficulties appear, all aspects of motivated self-regulation ( Rogowska et al, 2022 ). The correlation between GSES and the metacognitive subscale is interpretable in that more efficacious athletes choose more adaptive practice strategies, including formulating specific goals, and self-evaluating to make attributions for learning ( Cleary and Zimmermann, 2001 ).…”

“…Many of these elements can be similarly measured using corresponding single-dimension (e.g., General Self-Efficacy Scale, Schwarzer et al, 2009 ; Metacognitive-Self Scale, Brycz and Konarski, 2016 ) or multidimensional scales (e.g., Action Control Scale, Kuhl, 1994a ; Marszał-Wiśniewska, 2002 ). Although these corresponding measures are more general than sport-specific, they have been used in athlete research, in Polish (e.g., Marszał-Wiśniewska, 1998 ; Blecharz et al, 2014 ; Wilczynska et al, 2014 ; Serafin, 2021 ; Rogowska et al, 2022 ) and other populations (e.g., Raab and Johnson, 2004 ). Self-efficacy, for example, is critical to self-regulation and is understood as modulating one’s behavior to achieve goals ( Rogowska et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Although these corresponding measures are more general than sport-specific, they have been used in athlete research, in Polish (e.g., Marszał-Wiśniewska, 1998 ; Blecharz et al, 2014 ; Wilczynska et al, 2014 ; Serafin, 2021 ; Rogowska et al, 2022 ) and other populations (e.g., Raab and Johnson, 2004 ). Self-efficacy, for example, is critical to self-regulation and is understood as modulating one’s behavior to achieve goals ( Rogowska et al, 2022 ). Basketball experts report higher self-efficacy than non-experts and novices in a practice environment demanding SRL ( Cleary and Zimmermann, 2001 ).…”