The influence of athlete feedback orientation on continued sport participation.

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of the current study is to examine the influence of athlete feedback orientation factors on continued sport participation.

Design/methodology/approach – This study employed a three-phase within-subject design, that is data was gathered from the same participants, by way of three online surveys, at three separate points in time. The respective sample size at each time point was 245 (T1), 101 (T2) and 75 (T3). The hypotheses were empirically tested using partial correlations, and linear regression analyses.

Findings – Results build upon the current understanding of continued sports participation, revealing a positive association overall feedback orientation and feedback self-efficacy (dimension of feedback orientation) with continued sports participation, as measured by intention to continue and continuation behaviours.

Research limitations – While the three-phase time-lagged nature of this design does not fully mitigate the limitations commonly linked with cross-sectional designs, it does substantially control for these risks.

Practical implications – In addition to targeting athlete enjoyment and perceived competence, sporting organisations and coaches concerned with retaining athletes in sport should seek to implement interventions and coaching methods which are tailored to individual differences in feedback orientation, and those which target development of overall feedback orientation and feedback self-efficacy.

Originality/value - This study may be the first to explore feedback orientation in a sporting context, and is likely the first to examine the influence of feedback orientation on continued sports participation.