Behavioural Regulation in football: a sex comparison

Authors

  • Raquel Morquecho-Sánchez Autonomous University of Nuevo León - School of Sports Organization, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León- Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8432-1148
  • Rúben Ramirez-Nava Autonomous University of Nuevo León - School of Sports Organization, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León- Mexico
  • José Alberto Perez Garcia Autonomous University of Nuevo León - School of Sports Organization, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León- Mexico
  • Miguel Jacinto ESECS — Polytechnic University of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal; CIDESD, Research Center in Sport Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, Vila Real, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1727-3537
  • Verónica Morales-Sánchez Department of Social Psychology, Social Anthropology, Social Work and Social Services, Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
  • Rui Matos ESECS — Polytechnic University of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal; CIDESD, Research Center in Sport Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, Vila Real, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2034-0585
  • Encarnación Chica Merino Centro Universitário SAFA - Universidad de Jaen https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7421-6654
  • Diogo Monteiro ESECS — Polytechnic University of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal; CIDESD, Research Center in Sport Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, Vila Real, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7179-6814

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.41722

Keywords:

Self-Determination Theory, Motivation, Football, Sex

Abstract

The study investigates the differences in types of behavioural regulation between male and female football players. The study involved 293 football players (110 women) aged between 18 and 32 (22.15 ± 4.18 years). The Behavioural Regulation in Sport Questionnaire was used to assess six types of motivation regulation. Both sexes showed high levels of self-determined motivation (e.g., intrinsic motivation: males = 5.84±.91; females = 6.01±.94) and low levels of amotivation (males = 1.34±.55; females = 1.39±.63) and external regulation (males = 1.99±1.01; females = 2.10±1.02). Women showed higher levels of intrinsic motivation and introjected regulation. Statistically significant differences were found between the sexes in introjected (p=.03; d=.19), identified (p=.04; d=.05), integrated (p=.04; d=.06), and intrinsic (p=.03; d=.18). Athletes of both sexes show healthy and self-determined motivational profiles. Although there are some differences between sexes, they are not significant. The results suggest that coaches and sports organisations should promote training contexts that support autonomy, competence, and relationships in order to strengthen forms of self-determined motivation in soccer players.

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Published

2025-12-29

Issue

Vol. 21 (2025): Motricidade: 20 years publishing human movement

Section

Original Article

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