Positional Competition Predicts Athlete Satisfaction in a Large Student-Athlete Sample

Competition in sports can occur between teams but also within a team. The process of teammates vying for the same playing time is called positional competition and has been linked to several adaptive outcomes. Yet, the relationship between positional competition and performance-related satisfaction has yet to be explored. Hence, the purpose of this research was to examine whether athletes’ perceptions of positional competition could predict satisfaction with individual performance, ability utilization, training and instruction and personal dedication. Using a cross-sectional study design, a sample of 786 University Sport athletes (Mage= 20.31 years, SDage= 1.97) completed the Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaire, Positional Competition in Team Sports Questionnaire, and demographic questions. The seven sub-dimensions of positional competition predicted each of the four chosen sub-dimensions of athlete satisfaction in separate linear regressions. Positional competition significantly predicted the athlete satisfaction in each regression, explaining 20-34% of the variance. Coach communication (β = 0.11- 0.35) and selection (β = 0.12- 0.25) emerged as significant predictors in all regressions. Effort to improve was also a significant predictor in three regressions (β = 0.11- 0.33) while pushing teammates was in two regressions (β = 0.13 - 0.20). The findings indicate that the coach’s behavior play a central role in the relationship between positional competition and athlete satisfaction, particularly in the regressions predicting ability utilization and training and instruction. Future applied research may wish to explore which type of coaching behavior in positional competition affects athletes’ satisfaction.