Examining the behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes of national team wheelchair basketball athletes in relation to Motivation

Abstract

This study investigates the motivation levels of wheelchair basketball national team athletes based on disability type, gender, and athletic experience. Motivation is essential in supporting performance and psychological resilience, particularly for athletes with disabilities who face additional barriers in sport. Seventy-eight national-level athletes participated in the study. A validated motivation scale was used to assess intrinsic, extrinsic and general motivation. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in motivation levels based on disability onset or gender (p>0.05). Although athletes with 1–3 years of experience reported higher motivation scores compared to those with 12 or more years, this difference was not statistically significant. The findings suggest that demographic variables alone do not adequately explain motivational differences among disabled athletes. Instead, motivation may be shaped more by psychological, environmental, and social factors. These results highlight the importance of addressing broader influences to support sustained motivation in elite athletes with disabilities.

Keywords

• Athlete
• Disability
• Motivation
• National Team
• Wheelchair basketball

Tekerlekli sandalye basketbol milli takım sporcularının motivasyonla ilgili davranış, düşünce ve tutumlarının incelenmesi

Abstract

Bu çalışma, tekerlekli sandalye basketbolu milli takım sporcularının motivasyon düzeylerini engel türü, cinsiyet ve sporculuk deneyimine göre incelemektedir. Motivasyon, özellikle sporda çeşitli engellerle karşılaşan engelli sporcular için performansı ve psikolojik dayanıklılığı desteklemede kritik bir öneme sahiptir. Araştırmaya 78 milli düzeyde sporcu katılmıştır. İçsel, dışsal ve genel motivasyonu değerlendirmek amacıyla geçerliliği sağlanmış bir motivasyon ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Yapılan istatistiksel analizler, motivasyon düzeylerinin engellilik başlangıcı ya da cinsiyete göre anlamlı bir farklılık göstermediğini ortaya koymuştur (p>0,05). 1–3 yıl sporculuk deneyimi olan katılımcılar, 12 yıl ve üzeri deneyime sahip olanlara kıyasla daha yüksek motivasyon puanları bildirmiş olsa da bu fark istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmamıştır. Bulgular, yalnızca demografik değişkenlerin engelli sporcular arasındaki motivasyon farklılıklarını açıklamada yeterli olmadığını göstermektedir. Bunun yerine, motivasyonun daha çok psikolojik, çevresel ve sosyal faktörler tarafından şekillendiği öne sürülmektedir. Bu sonuçlar, elit düzeydeki engelli sporcuların sürdürülebilir motivasyonlarının desteklenmesinde daha geniş etkilerin dikkate alınması gerektiğini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Engellilik
• Milli Takım
• Motivasyon
• Sporcu
• Tekerlekli Sandalye Basketbolu

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