MOTIVES OF COMPETITIVE MASTERS SWIMMERS
MOTIVES OF COMPETITIVE MASTERS SWIMMERS
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Issue Date
1995
Authors
Payne, Melinda A.
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Abstract
Research has studied the concept of motivation for participating and competing in sports. Unlike previous studies that have focused on children and adolescents, the current study looked at the motives of competitive Masters swimmers. Masters swimming is an international organization of adults over the age of eighteen. A qualitative study based on observation and interviews was conducted on 30 swimmers from a nationally ranked California Masters team. A thematic analysis was conducted on the interview material to bring out the most prominent and important themes. Ten themes were found as significant motives for competing. The motives were accomplishment/goals, team support, health/fitness, training, self-competition, self-esteem/ personal, fun, social, lifesport and coach. Future research focusing on age and gender differences is recommended.