Exploring Athlete's Motivation in Overcoming a Serious Injury: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study
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Authors
Lawn, Alexandra
Issue Date
2006
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study examined the motivational experiences of athletes overcoming a large external obstacle in their sport. This obstacle turned out to be a serious injury for both participants. In order to further understand motivation the purpose of this study was to explore this concept by examining athletes who were motivated in the face of adversity. Participant 1 was a male college baseball player who shattered his throwing elbow. Participant 2 was a female college soccer player who broke her leg. Both athletes have recovered from their injuries and are currently playing their respective sports at the college level. The athletes were interviewed and the data was analyzed using descriptive phenomenology (Giorgi, 1985). From this data, constituents emerged for each participant including threatened identity as an athlete, responses to their doctor, responsibility to themselves and others, support, and personality. The results indicated that the athletes experienced motivation in different ways and, though similar motivational factors were present, the athletes drew on these factors in their own way. For example, both participants reported that their doctors played a large role in their motivation, yet they experienced this in different ways. P1's response to his doctor was one of defiance and wanting to prove his doctor wrong, while P2 used her doctor's support and faith as a motivator. Findings from this research reveal the importance of individual differences when working with athletes on their motivation throughout the recovery process and beyond.