Situational motivational profiles and performance with elite performers

Abstract

Abstract In S tudy 1, a sample of tennis players ranked at the national level ( n = 173) completed a F rench version of the S ituational M otivation S cale the day before a tennis competition. Results revealed the presence of a three‐cluster solution. Differences among clusters on subsequent sport performance were significant. Specifically, athletes with the least self‐determined motivational profile obtained the lowest levels of performance. S tudy 2 ( n = 319) replicated the findings of S tudy 1 with a larger sample of national level tennis players. Overall, these results suggest that it is useful to analyze individuals' situational motivational profiles using a cluster analysis to understand the complex link between motivation and performance.