The effects of team win:loss ratio on individual motivation and performance

Abstract

Athletes experience performance pressures to win competitions regardless of their team's Win:Loss ratio (W:L). However, little is known regarding how such pressures influence athlete's motivation. Prior studies have attempted to determine which factors motivate athletic competition, yet factors that motivate team performance and its impact on the individual athlete require further investigation. To provide insight in addressing this problem, we conducted a case study using a novel Sport Psychology Assessment Scale (SP-MAS) and distributed it among SUNY Old Westbury basketball; lacrosse and soccer teams. The SP-MAS showed that an athlete's motivational performance can be impacted by their team's W:L as it relates to four functional relationships: 1) decreased team W:L & decreased athlete motivation [DD] 2) decreased team W:L & increased athlete motivation [DI] 3) increased team W:L & decreased athlete motivation [ID] 4) increased team W:L & increased athlete motivation [II] Data suggests that II athletes rate highest on the SP-MAS and further assessment of the shifts from DD-DI-ID-II can be tracked overtime to continually evaluate athlete's and team's motivational interactions and performance trajectories in predicting overall W:L. Thus, the SP-MAS may provide useful athlete feedback with consideration across various sport and divisional contexts.