ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of “motivation” as it pertains to sport, exercise and performance settings with a particular emphasis on the development of healthy motivational environments for youth populations. An individual’s perception of probability of success in a given situation is also promoted as integral to motivation and interacts with achievement motivation. Building on theories emphasising competence as an important determinant of motivation, the pursuit of competence is also at the core of achievement goal theory. Self-determination theory comprises six mini theories developed to explain a specific facet of motivation functioning. Research in sport and exercise psychology has promoted increasing understanding of factors which enhance training and practice quality as a central predictor of the training and competition hours which underpin optimal performance. Through interpersonal interactions and personal behaviors, promote the value of effort during practice or performance, and emphasize mastery and personal competence.
