Motivation is a key ingredient of successful athletic performance over time. Although the concept of maximizing motivation has long been of interest to coaches and practitioners, the vast number of motivational theories, principles, and strategies can seem overwhelming and confusing. Consequently, there is a need for providing more holistic frameworks to coaches and practitioners that not only summarize the essential findings of motivation research but also make the information more understandable and applicable in practical settings. The purpose of this study is to present and test the MUSIC Model of Motivation as a framework that can be applied in performance environments by coaches and practitioners to improve athletes' motivation, engagement, and ultimately, performance. The dissertation includes three related studies. First, I conducted a systematic content analysis to support the application of the MUSIC Model in sports. I analyzed 13 books in the realm of sport psychology and coaching. Results showed strong evidence that the underlying principles and theories of the MUSIC Model are represented in the sports literature, which supports the application of the model as a holistic framework for coaches. For the second study, Brett Jones and I developed a motivation inventory for athletes by modifying an existing motivation inventory for use with athletes. I collected data from student athletes at a large public university and conducted Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) with Principal Axis Factoring and Promax Rotation to examine the factor structure of the inventory scales. I used the results of the EFA to make changes to the inventory. Subsequently, I conducted a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) on a second data set to test for model fit. The fit indices for the CFA demonstrated reasonably good fit to the results, which confirmed the five-factor structure of motivation inventory. Reliability analysis based on Cronbach's alpha showed very good results with alpha ratings ranging between .84 and .94. Overall, the findings provided validity evidence for the produced scores of the MUSIC® Athletic Inventory with student-athletes. / Ph. D. / Three studies were conducted to test the feasibility of using a motivation model, designed initially for educational settings (the MUSIC® Model of Motivation), in athletic settings by coaches. The first study showed that the underlying theories and principles of the MUSIC Model of Motivation are represented in the sport psychology and coaching literature. This is important because it demonstrates that it may be possible to apply the MUSIC Model in athletic settings. The second and third study tested an athletic version of a questionnaire (the MUSIC® Model of Academic Motivation Inventory) that was originally designed to assess students’ perceptions of the MUSIC model components in educational settings. Titled the “MUSIC® Model of Athletic Motivation Inventory,” this newly developed questionnaire was adapted from the academic version so that it could be administered to student-athletes at a large public university. The results indicated that the athletic version of the inventory can produce valid scores with student-athletes in competitive sports settings. These findings indicate that coaches could consider administering the newly developed questionnaire to assess athletes’ perceptions of the athletic setting. Based on the results, they could modify their coaching strategies and/or try new coaching strategies consistent with the MUSIC® Model of Motivation.

<p>En effektiv och lönsam logistik kan företag använda som en konkurrensfördel. Det gäller att hitta en balans mellan att exempelvis ge hög service till kunderna och samtidigt tvingas ta hänsyn till höga kostnader för lagerhållning. Denna uppsats syftar till att beskriva och analysera hur Peak Performance hanterar denna balans mellan logistikkostnader, kapitalbindning, leveransservice och miljö. Tre av dessa delar är hämtade från en modell av Lumsden (1998). Vi har därefter modifierat modellen och tillfört den fjärde komponenten, miljö. För att besvara vårt syfte har vi genomfört två intervjuer med personer väl insatta i det vi avsåg studera. Vår slutsats är att Peak Performance fokuserar mest på logistikkostnader där låga transportkostnader prioriteras, kapitalbindning kommer i andra hand, sedan leveransservice och därefter kommer miljön. Balansen kan anses vara något skev idag. Låga tranportkostnader prioriteras på bekostnad av miljövänliga transportalternativ. Detta är något som vi anser att Peak i framtiden bör fokusera mer på då det skulle kunna utgöra en konkurrensfördel.</p>

En effektiv och lönsam logistik kan företag använda som en konkurrensfördel. Det gäller att hitta en balans mellan att exempelvis ge hög service till kunderna och samtidigt tvingas ta hänsyn till höga kostnader för lagerhållning. Denna uppsats syftar till att beskriva och analysera hur Peak Performance hanterar denna balans mellan logistikkostnader, kapitalbindning, leveransservice och miljö. Tre av dessa delar är hämtade från en modell av Lumsden (1998). Vi har därefter modifierat modellen och tillfört den fjärde komponenten, miljö. För att besvara vårt syfte har vi genomfört två intervjuer med personer väl insatta i det vi avsåg studera. Vår slutsats är att Peak Performance fokuserar mest på logistikkostnader där låga transportkostnader prioriteras, kapitalbindning kommer i andra hand, sedan leveransservice och därefter kommer miljön. Balansen kan anses vara något skev idag. Låga tranportkostnader prioriteras på bekostnad av miljövänliga transportalternativ. Detta är något som vi anser att Peak i framtiden bör fokusera mer på då det skulle kunna utgöra en konkurrensfördel.

Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka unga idrottares upplevelser i en topprestation. Studiens frågeställningar var: ·        Vilka upplevelser har unga idrottare i en topprestation? ·        Upplever unga idrottare flow i en topprestation? ·        Vilka faktorer ligger bakom en topprestation hos unga idrottare?  Utifrån syfte och frågeställningar valdes mätinstrumentet Flow State Scale-2 (FSS-2). FSS-2 består av ett påståendeformulär som mäter den totala upplevelsen av flow samt var och en av de nio dimensionerna av flow. Kontakt togs via telefon och mail med ansvariga tränare vid idrottsgymnasier för att finna unga idrottare med ett tydligt minne av en topprestation. Undersökningsgruppen blev 51 stycken unga idrottare, män och kvinnor i åldrarna16-20 år som utövat fotboll, ishockey eller orientering på elitnivå. Litteratursökning gjordes i bibliotekskatalogen tillhörande Umeå Universitet. Den funna relevanta litteraturen och artiklarna har legat till grund för denna studies bakgrundsdel.  Påståendeformuläret FSS-2 visar att undersökningspersonerna, i sin topprestation, hade en stark upplevelse av inre tillfredsställelse, tydliga mål, koncentration på uppgiften, känsla av kontroll och balans mellan skicklighet och utmaning. Vidare upplevde de att handlingar och tankar kunde utföras automatiskt, tydlig återkoppling av resultatet i prestationen och avsaknad av osäkerhet. Undersökningsgruppen upplevde en viss förändrad tidsuppfattning i sin topprestation. Resultatet av studien visar att undersökningspersonerna upplevde en hög grad av flow i sina topprestationer. Bakomliggande faktorer till de unga idrottarnas topprestationer är kroppsliga dimensioner, fysiologiska faktorer, motoriska faktorer, psykologiska faktorer och sociologiska faktorer.  En slutsats av denna studie är att oavsett kön eller typ av idrott framkommer följande karaktäristiska faktorer när de upplevt en topprestation; trygg, säker, automatiserad, fokuserad och en känsla av kontroll. Dessa faktorer sammantaget tycks skapa en tydlig upplevelse av tillfredsställelse och glädje.

The objectives in the study were to examine: (1) factors that contributes to successful athletic performance across career stages; (2) factors that contributes to poor athletic performance across career stages. The theoretical frameworks included: model of psychological preparation for peak performance (Hardy, Jones, &amp; Gould, 1996); the developmental model on transitions faced by athletes (Wylleman &amp; Lavallee, 2004). Ten participants took part of the study (N=10) and consisted of five individual sport athletes and five team sport athletes from local to international competitive level. Semi-structured interviews were conducted derived from the semi-structured interview guide specially created for this study, which was based on the theoretical frameworks. The results are presented in three parts, and 8 category profiles describing the factors contributing to successful and poor athletic performance on the initiation-, development-, mastery- and maintenance stage. The results showed a list of factors contributing to both successful and poor athletic performance across different career stages for example, social support, family, coach, teammates, athletic ability, athletic experience and, athletic achievements. The results also showed that the factors seems to play a different role depending on the different athletic career stage for instance, supportive significant others and sporting environment turned out to be a more important contributing factor to athletes successful athletic performance on the initiation stage, where athletic ability turned out to be a more important contributing factor to athletes successful athletic performance on the mastery stage. The results are discussed based on the theoretical frameworks and previous research. Suggestions on future research and implications are given. / Syftena med föreliggande studie var att undersöka: (1) faktorer som bidrar till framgångsrika idrottsprestationer genom idrottskarriären, (2) faktorer som bidrar till dåliga idrottsprestationer genom idrottskarriären. De teoretiska ramverk som ingår i studien är: model of psychological preparation for peak performance (Hardy, Jones, &amp; Gould, 1996); the developmental model on transitions faced by athletes (Wylleman &amp; Lavallee, 2004). Tio deltagare deltog i studien (N=10) och bestod av fem individuella idrottare och fem lag idrottare från lokal till internationell tävlingsnivå. Semi-strukturerade intervjuer genomfördes utifrån en framtagen intervjuguide speciellt skapad för denna studie, som byggde på teoretiska ramverk. Resultaten presenteras i tre delar, och 8 kategori profiler beskriver de faktorer som bidrar till framgångsrika och dåliga idrottsprestationer i inledningsstadiet-, specialiseringsstadiet-, toppstadiet- och underhållsstadiet. Resultaten visade att faktorer som bidrar till både framgångsrik och dåliga idrottsprestationer förekom under olika skeden av idrottskarriären som, t.ex. socialt stöd, familj, tränare, lagkamrater, idrottslig förmåga, idrottsliga erfarenheter och idrottsprestationer. Resultaten visade också att de olika faktorerna verkade spela olika betydelse beroende på det specifika karriärsteget inom idrotten. Ett exempel är stödjande närstående och idrottsmiljö som visade sig ha störst betydelse för bidragandet av framgångsrika idrottsprestationer i inledningsfasen. Idrottslig förmåga visade sig ha störst betydelse för bidragandet av framgångsrika idrottsprestationer i toppfasen av idrottskarriären. Resultaten diskuteras utifrån teoretiska ramverk och tidigare forskning. Förslag på framtida forskning samt implikationer ges.

Extensive research into the lives of professional ballet dancers has been conducted by the psychological and medical fields, but much of this research has focused on problems in the environment, sometimes in a way that further pathologizes dancers. Professional ballet is a highly demanding performance area, yet little research into ballet dancers’ performance lives has been conducted, which further shapes perceptions about this population. This study explores how South African professional ballet dancers’ performance lives are shaped by discourse, and how they draw on available discursive resources to construct their subjectivity and create meaning, and to what ends, in relation to performance. Findings suggest that dancers are caught up in several powerful, dominant discourses, some of which may position them in ways that cause subjective harm, but that alternatives do exist. Insights into the complex web of intersecting discourses surrounding ballet are offered, and questions posed to create possibilities, but ultimately, dancers must decide which positions they want to claim or resist, as they continually form their subjectivities. / Mini Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Psychology / MA Counselling Psychology / Unrestricted

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om te bepaal tot watter mate waargenome leierskapvaardighede van die middelvlakbestuurders in 'n provinsiale hospitaal, 'n voorspeller is van topprestasie. Vanuit die literatuuroorsig word leierskapteoriee, die veranderende konteks van leierskap, leierskapstrategiee en -vaardighede bespreek. Die rasionaal vir topprestasie, visie in topprestasie-organisasies en die beginsels van topprestasie word ook bespreek. Die navorsingsontwerp is 'n beskrywende studie en maak gebruik van 'n gestratifiseerde ewekansige steekproef. Die leierskapvaardigheidsvraelys (Charlton, 1991) is vir die meet van die leierskapvaardighede gebruik en die PA VE-vraelys is gebruik vir die meet van die vlak van topprestasie in die organisasie-eenheid. Die resultate vertoon bemagtiging as die vemaamste voorspeller van topprestasie by die middelvlakbestuurders. Toekomstige navorsing kan temas insluit soos die rol en potensiaal van 'n gedeelde visie, volharding, en werkstevredenheid. Relevante sleutelwoorde is transformerende leierskapvaardighede, topprestasie, bemagtiging en middelvlakbestuurders. / The aim of this research is to determine to what extent perceived leadership competency of the middle level manager in a provincial hospital, is a predictor of peak performance. The literature highlights leadership theories, the changing context of leadership, leadership strategies and competencies. The rationale for peak performance, vision in peak performing organizations and the principles of peak performance are also discussed. The research design is a descriptive study which uses a stratified randomized sample. The leadership competence questionnaire (Charlton, 1991) is used to measure the leadership competencies. The PA VE questionnaire is used to measure the level of peak performance in the organizational unit. The results indicate empowerment as the most prominent predictor of peak performance of middle level managers. Future research may include the role and potential of a shared vision, determination and work satisfaction. Relevant keywords are transformational leadership competencies, peak performance, empowerment and middle level managers. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Com. (Bedryfsielkunde)

It is noticed that success of sporting activity is positively influenced by certain motives. That prompted to perform a research enabling to determine prevailing sporting activity motives of high peak performance handball players. There is a sporting activity motivation of high peak performance men handball players (n=57) analysed in the final paper of the Master studies. Having analysed sporting activity motives of high peak performance men handball players (n=29) and women handball players (n=28) it was established that prevailing motives of high peak performance men handball players’ sporting activity is “cooperation”, “orientation to activity content” and “collaboration”, however just the motive of “cooperation” is statistically reliable. An average failure evasion level and success motivation level are also prevailing, however there is no a statistically significant difference. Analysing sporting activity motives of high peak performance men handball players in the aspect of sex, we have established that a motive of “cooperation” of social motivation level is the most archetypal for men as well as for women, however statistically reliable difference was not determined; there is a statistically reliable motive of “cooperation” prevailing among men. Statistically unreliable “motive of orientation to activity content” is prevailing among women; an average failure evasion level and success motivation level are most of all expressed among high peak performance men handball... [to full text]

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om te bepaal tot watter mate waargenome leierskapvaardighede van die middelvlakbestuurders in 'n provinsiale hospitaal, 'n voorspeller is van topprestasie. Vanuit die literatuuroorsig word leierskapteoriee, die veranderende konteks van leierskap, leierskapstrategiee en -vaardighede bespreek. Die rasionaal vir topprestasie, visie in topprestasie-organisasies en die beginsels van topprestasie word ook bespreek. Die navorsingsontwerp is 'n beskrywende studie en maak gebruik van 'n gestratifiseerde ewekansige steekproef. Die leierskapvaardigheidsvraelys (Charlton, 1991) is vir die meet van die leierskapvaardighede gebruik en die PA VE-vraelys is gebruik vir die meet van die vlak van topprestasie in die organisasie-eenheid. Die resultate vertoon bemagtiging as die vemaamste voorspeller van topprestasie by die middelvlakbestuurders. Toekomstige navorsing kan temas insluit soos die rol en potensiaal van 'n gedeelde visie, volharding, en werkstevredenheid. Relevante sleutelwoorde is transformerende leierskapvaardighede, topprestasie, bemagtiging en middelvlakbestuurders. / The aim of this research is to determine to what extent perceived leadership competency of the middle level manager in a provincial hospital, is a predictor of peak performance. The literature highlights leadership theories, the changing context of leadership, leadership strategies and competencies. The rationale for peak performance, vision in peak performing organizations and the principles of peak performance are also discussed. The research design is a descriptive study which uses a stratified randomized sample. The leadership competence questionnaire (Charlton, 1991) is used to measure the leadership competencies. The PA VE questionnaire is used to measure the level of peak performance in the organizational unit. The results indicate empowerment as the most prominent predictor of peak performance of middle level managers. Future research may include the role and potential of a shared vision, determination and work satisfaction. Relevant keywords are transformational leadership competencies, peak performance, empowerment and middle level managers. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Com. (Bedryfsielkunde)

This study provides the first comparison of weight selection attempt strategies used by powerlifters competing at the international level. We observed attempts selected by elite male and female classic powerlifters and compared weight selection attempts between sexes. Male (n = 66) and female (n = 43) powerlifters who completed all lifts successfully at an International Powerlifting Federation Classic World Championship between 2012-2019 were included in the analysis. We calculated the percentage weight increase from first attempts (A1) to second attempts (A2) and from A2 to third attempts (A3). For purposes of comparison, A1 values were expressed as a percentage of A3 values. We calculated non-parametric statistics with effect sizes for between and within-group comparisons. Relative to A3, males selected greater A1s compared to females for bench press (η2 = 0.16; p = 0.004) and deadlift (η2 = 0.06; p = 0.036) for each lift. Alternatively, females selected greater A1 to A2 and A2 to A3 progressions for bench press (η2 = 0.06; p = 0.026; η2 = 0.21; p = 0.005, respectively), and A2 to A3 for deadlift (η2 = 0.04; p = 0.035) compared to males. Within-group comparisons showed that males selected greater A1s on bench press compared to deadlift (η2 = 0.06; p = 0.046), whereas females selected greater A1s on squat compared to deadlift (η2 = 0.13; p = 0.038) relative to A3. Males also selected greater A2 to A3 progressions on deadlift compared to bench press (η2 = 0.10; p = 0.044), whereas females selected greater A2 to A3 progressions for bench press (η2 = 0.15; p = 0.039) and deadlift compared to squat (η2 = 0.10; p = 0.041). In conclusion, selecting an opener of ∼91% of the expected A3 weight, followed by ∼5% increase from A1 to A2, and ∼3% increase from A2 to A3 represent the typical weight selection attempts used across lifts by elite classic powerlifters competing in the World Championships. The results of this study provide novel insight into the weight selection attempts of elite classic powerlifters.