ary individuals. In addition, High Volume runners reported greater intrinsic motivation for running that Fitness Level runners. Based on these findings, Breheny (2002) concluded that the need for achievement had direct and meaningful relevance for marathon running and that higher levels of this need resulted in higher levels of performance. She also concluded that intrinsic need motivation was responsible for the highest performance levels.
Another way in which many researchers define motivation is in terms of goals. In this regard, Van-Yperen and Duda (1999) state that this model, termed the Goal Theory Model of Motivation, postulates that performance motivation is directly related to the type of goals athletes set: outcome goals or task goals. Outcome goals are those where athletes focus on comparing their performance against the performance of others and concentrate mostly on defeating them. Task goals are set when athletes compare their current performance with past performances and judge the quality of this performance by this comparison.
In their study, Van-Yperen and Duda (1999) examined the goal orientations of 75 elite Dutch soccer players. Their research question was: Do performance levels differ as a function of different goal orientations? Players completed a standardized measure of goal orientation as well as a measure of their perceptions of the determinants of success in soccer.
Measures were collected both at the onset and at the conclusion of the season so that comparisons could be made using a longitudinal design format. In addition, at both times, measures were also collected
...