Temperament and achievement motivation among athletes in team and individual disciplines

Purpose: This study aimed to examine differences in temperament and achievement motivation, as well as to determine the relationship between these variables among athletes in team and individual sports. Methods: The diagnostic survey method was employed using psychological questionnaires. Achievement motivation was measured with the Achievement Motivation Inventory LMI-K, and temperament was assessed using the Temperament Questionnaire PTS. The study involved a random sample of 80 adult men and women representing Poland in national and international competitions. The first group, consisting of team sport athletes (n= 40), had a mean age of 25.17±4.12 years. The second group, comprising individual sport athletes (n= 40), had a mean age of 25.13±3.41 years. The professional experience of the surveyed athletes ranged from 8 to 16 years, with a mean of 12.13±2.31 years. Results: The results revealed statistically significant differences in temperament. Team sport athletes exhibited higher levels of excitability strength (M Rank= 48.0; R= - .114; P= .024), inhibitory strength (M Rank= 48.0; R= - .108; P= .031), and neural mobility (M Rank= 46.5; R= - .243; P= .004) compared to athletes participating in individual sports. A strong positive relationship was observed between neural mobility and overall achievement motivation (Rho= .345, P= .002). Conclusions: Studies have shown that team sport athletes exhibit more effective nervous system adaptation to dynamic competition conditions than individual sport athletes. The lack of differences in achievement motivation between the two groups suggests that the type of sport does not determine the level of ambition. A strong correlation between the mobility of nervous processes and motivation indicates its key role in athletes' effectiveness. The results may be useful in developing adaptive skills and regulating nervous processes in sports practice.