Variation in the motivation and burnout scale with continuation or discontinuation of sports in high school athletes

Abstract

A study was conducted to clarify the variation in the motivation in high school athletes and the related burnout scale. Three different public high schools in the city of Utsunomiya, Japan, were investigated, and a total of 316 students (male, n=255, female, n=61) who entered high school in April 1997 and who belonged to a school sports club in November 1997, were enrolled. Participants completed a questionnaire about the frequency and duration of sports activities, the competitive level of his/her club, the motivation of participating in sports, and burnout scale. Students who continued to participate in a school sports club completed the same questionnaire every six months (November 1997, May 1998, November 1998, May 1999). Statistical analysis suggested that it was possible to estimate which students would continue to participate in school sports clubs and which would quit. The findings also suggested that when students continue to participate in sports club activities, the desire to improve themselves decreases, their emotional exhaustion increases and the relationship between teammates worsens as they continue to participate.