A Comparison of Socioenvironmental Modifications to a Strongman Training Design on Rugby Athlete Motivation and Performance

Athletes need to be highly motivated to train at the required frequency, intensity, and volume to enable favourable physiological adaptations. In group settings, it is important to consider the role socio-environmental influence might have in diminishing or strengthening athlete motivation. The purpose of this study was to compare five modified strongman training session designs (i.e., 1. Individual, 2. Working in pairs, 3. Working in pairs with stronger partner, 4. Leader board with no feedback, 5. Leader board with feedback) on athlete motivation and performance. Performance was measured by the number of repetitions completed during sixty seconds for the keg swing and sledgehammer strike exercises. Motivation was assessed pre and post training via a questionnaire. To compare between the five session designs, a repeated measures analysis of variance was undertaken along with Cohen’s d effect sizes between each session (e.g., 1v2, 1v3, 2v3). When examining changes in motivation, and motivation between session design an overall significant effect was demonstrated. For performance measures, overall significant differences were found across the session designs. The current findings demonstrate that athlete motivation and strongman performance can be enhanced by manipulating the design of a modified strongman training session. Working in pairs or using a leader board with feedback enhanced motivation and performance compared to working alone or using a leader board without feedback. These findings suggest than planning and delivering modified strongman training sessions that consider the socioenvironmental design of the session including ways to enhance motivation should be recommended for coaches to enhance athlete motivation and potentially improve physiological performance.