Research Article

Athlete Identification and Decision-Making in Basketball Players: Age and Gender as Moderators

Volume: 12 Number: 1 October 18, 2026
EN TR

Athlete Identification and Decision-Making in Basketball Players: Age and Gender as Moderators

Abstract

Aim: We examined the relationship between athlete identification and effective decision-making in basketball players, testing whether age and gender moderate this relationship. Method: The study employed the Athlete Identification Level Scale (AILS) and the Scale of Effective Decision-Making in Sport (SEDMS) within a quantitative framework. Data were analyzed via correlation, multiple linear regression, and moderation tests. Results: Athletic identity significantly and positively predicted internal decision-making. For external decision-making, image and career maturity was a significant negative predictor, whereas athletic identity was a significant positive predictor. Age and gender significantly moderated the relationship between athlete identification and effective decision-making. Specifically, higher athlete identification was associated with lower effective decision-making among older and female basketball players. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the relationship between athlete identification and effective decision-making varies according to age and gender. These results highlight the importance of considering demographic differences when addressing decision-making processes in basketball players.

Keywords

References

  1. Best, J. R., & Miller, P. H. (2010). A developmental perspective on executive function. Child Development, 81(6), 1641–1660. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01499.x
  2. Brewer, B. W., Van Raalte, J. L., & Linder, D. E. (1993). Athletic identity: Hercules' muscles or Achilles heel?. International journal of sport psychology, 24(2), 237–254.
  3. Byrnes, J. P. (2013). The nature and development of decision-making: A self-regulation model. Psychology Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203726495
  4. Byrnes, J. P., Miller, D. C., & Schafer, W. D. (1999). Gender differences in risk taking: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 125(3), 367–383. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.125.3.367
  5. Çetin, M. Ç., & Kara, M. (2024). Sporda etkili karar verme ölçeği (SEKVÖ): Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 29(1), 40–52. https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1377855
  6. Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203771587
  7. Eccles, J. S., & Harold, R. D. (1991). Gender differences in sport involvement: Applying the Eccles’ expectancy-value model. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 3(1), 7–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413209108406432
  8. Erickson, K. I., Hillman, C. H., & Kramer, A. F. (2015). Physical activity, brain, and cognition. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 4, 27–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2015.01.005

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sports Science and Exercise (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 18, 2026

Submission Date

June 11, 2026

Acceptance Date

October 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 12 Number: 1

APA
Kara, M., Lekesiz, G., Açıkbaş, F. C., & Deli, Ş. C. (2026). Athlete Identification and Decision-Making in Basketball Players: Age and Gender as Moderators. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences - IJSETS, 12(1), 134-144. https://doi.org/10.18826/useeabd.1968799
AMA
1.Kara M, Lekesiz G, Açıkbaş FC, Deli ŞC. Athlete Identification and Decision-Making in Basketball Players: Age and Gender as Moderators. Int J Sport, Exerc & Train Sci. 2026;12(1):134-144. doi:10.18826/useeabd.1968799
Chicago
Kara, Mehmet, Gültekin Lekesiz, Ferhat Caner Açıkbaş, and Şekip Can Deli. 2026. “Athlete Identification and Decision-Making in Basketball Players: Age and Gender As Moderators”. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences - IJSETS 12 (1): 134-44. https://doi.org/10.18826/useeabd.1968799.
EndNote
Kara M, Lekesiz G, Açıkbaş FC, Deli ŞC (October 1, 2026) Athlete Identification and Decision-Making in Basketball Players: Age and Gender as Moderators. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences - IJSETS 12 1 134–144.
IEEE
[1]M. Kara, G. Lekesiz, F. C. Açıkbaş, and Ş. C. Deli, “Athlete Identification and Decision-Making in Basketball Players: Age and Gender as Moderators”, Int J Sport, Exerc & Train Sci, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 134–144, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.18826/useeabd.1968799.
ISNAD
Kara, Mehmet - Lekesiz, Gültekin - Açıkbaş, Ferhat Caner - Deli, Şekip Can. “Athlete Identification and Decision-Making in Basketball Players: Age and Gender As Moderators”. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences - IJSETS 12/1 (October 1, 2026): 134-144. https://doi.org/10.18826/useeabd.1968799.
JAMA
1.Kara M, Lekesiz G, Açıkbaş FC, Deli ŞC. Athlete Identification and Decision-Making in Basketball Players: Age and Gender as Moderators. Int J Sport, Exerc & Train Sci. 2026;12:134–144.
MLA
Kara, Mehmet, et al. “Athlete Identification and Decision-Making in Basketball Players: Age and Gender As Moderators”. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences - IJSETS, vol. 12, no. 1, Oct. 2026, pp. 134-4, doi:10.18826/useeabd.1968799.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Kara, Gültekin Lekesiz, Ferhat Caner Açıkbaş, Şekip Can Deli. Athlete Identification and Decision-Making in Basketball Players: Age and Gender as Moderators. Int J Sport, Exerc & Train Sci. 2026 Oct. 1;12(1):134-4. doi:10.18826/useeabd.1968799