Relationship between acquisition of goal-setting skill and time perspective through participation in athletic clubs

Abstract

Previous studies on the acquisition of life skills through sport have paid attention to the relationship between the acquisition of skills and behavior modification, while few studies have examined the relationship between skill acquisition and psychological aspects. This study focused on the relationship between goal-setting skill (GS), which can be acquired by participation in athletic clubs, and time perspective (TP). The aim of this study was to clarify (1) the influence of GS acquired by participation in an athletic club on TP, and (2) instructions that can promote the development of TP. In study 1, a service program for acquiring GS through participation in an athletic club (SPG) was introduced to 15 members of a technical college soccer club. The program consisted of 5-hours of lectures and practices in goal-setting in both sport and daily life. The results showed that the SPG was mostly useful. In study 2, a service program for acquiring GS and TP through participation in the athletic club (SPGT), which was developed from the SPG in study 1, was introduced to 53 members of a junior high school soccer club. The program consisted of 4-hours of lectures and practices in goal-setting through the perspective of both sport and daily life. From the results of study 2, it is clarified that (1) acquisition of GS through participation in an athletic club is possible, (2) acquisition of GS affects the development of TP, and (3) instructions that are based on a scheme for the formation of TP have a limited affect on the development of TP. Consequently, it is considered that GS acquired through participation in an athletic club promotes the development of TP.