Developing psychological interventions to enhance motivation among secondary school volleyball players in Mudzi district

Author

Mukarati, Fungai

Title

Developing psychological interventions to enhance motivation among secondary school volleyball players in Mudzi district

Abstract

Motivation plays a crucial role in the success of athletes, particularly in the highly competitive setting of secondary school sports. This study aimed to develop psychological interventions to enhance motivation among secondary school volleyball players in Mudzi District. Methods: 30 coaches in Mudzi district secondary schools participated in the study. Eligible participants were given consent/assent forms based on their availability at the first meeting. At the second meeting the forms were returned and participants were given questionnaires based on what group they belonged to (male or female). Participants were instructed on how to fill out the questionnaires and to turn them in at the next meeting. At the next meeting all questionnaires were received. 15 participants were interviewed during volleyball training and games. Results: Key factors affecting motivation among volleyball players in Mudzi District included lack of support from parents, limited access to resources and facilities, and low self-confidence. Based on these findings, a series of psychological interventions were developed, including goal setting workshops, confidence-building exercises, and parent education programs. These interventions were implemented over a period of six weeks, with pre- and post-intervention surveys used to assess changes in motivation levels among players. Conclusion: Psychological interventions can be an effective way to enhance motivation among secondary school volleyball players in Mudzi District. By addressing the key barriers to motivation and providing players with the necessary skills and resources to enhance their motivation, the interventions are able to improve players' self-confidence, goal-setting, social support, and performance on the volleyball court. These findings are consistent with previous research on motivation in sports, which has shown that psychological interventions can have a significant impact on an individual's motivation and performance in sports. Recommendations: Practical recommendations stemming from this research emphasize the imperative for coaches, sports psychologists, and educators to integrate psychological interventions into training programs for secondary school volleyball players. By actively incorporating strategies such as goal setting, positive self-talk, and imagery exercises, stakeholders can cultivate a motivational environment that nurtures player resilience, confidence, and sustained performance enhancement. Future research should include conducting similar studies in other sports and regions to further explore the efficacy of psychological interventions in enhancing motivation among secondary school athletes.

Date

June 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Psychological interventions

Motivation enhancement

Secondary school athletes

Volleyball players

Supervisor

Dr Charumbira and Dr Islay