ABSTRACT
In order for football to be effective as medicine it is important that participants actively engage in playing football on a regular basis. One of the key factors for regular participation in football activities is the participant’s motivation. As motivation is an interplay between the person and situation, the chapter is divided into two major sections: Personal motivational factors and situational motivational sectors. The first section, focusing on personal motivational factors, gives an overview of two frequently used motivational frameworks in physical activity, namely the Self-Determination Theory and the flow concept. It is then argued that football and similar team sports elicit more intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, as well as more flow experiences, compared to individual physical activity. Lastly, it is investigated why football and similar team sports are more motivating, and suggested that it is due to a higher degree of satisfaction of the basic psychological needs, a higher degree of social relations and better conditions for eliciting flow. The second section, focusing on situational motivational factors, starts by giving an overview of the mastery and performance climate distinction in the Achievement Goal Theory. It is subsequently argued that the theory-driven TARGET and Empowering Coaching frameworks can inform football as medicine activities that will engage participants and contribute to their long-term participation in recreational football activities.
