Abstract
Background
In ultra-marathon running the proper motivation of the athlete is one of the
milestones, not only during the races, but also during the practice sessions, which are
long and very exhausting.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of sport experience (expressed as
number of finishes in ultra-marathons) with motivation characteristics of ultra-marathon
runners.
Subjects and methods
The Motivation of Marathoners Scale examined the motivation of ultra-marathon runners
compared to endurance runners of shorter distances (control group). Participants were
1,539 Polish runners, 382 women (24.7%) and 1,157 men (75.3%). Ultra-marathoners (N=425;
26.7%) finished at least one ultra-marathon, whereas the control group consisted of
runners of shorter distances (N=1,114, 72.3%).
Results
Ultra-marathoners had higher scores in affiliation (3.55±1.60 vs
3.34±1.62, P<0.05), life meaning (4.20±1.40 vs
4.03±1.44, P<0.05) and lower in the areas of weight
concern (4.33±1.68 vs 4.64±1.65, P<0.01),
personal goal achievement (5.09±1.25 vs 4.64±1.65,
P<0.001) and self-esteem (4.44±1.36 vs
4.68±1.38, P<0.01), than runners in the control group.
The number of completed ultra-marathons was negatively related to the personal goal
achievement, competition and recognition scale. The level of training experience was
negatively correlated with the personal goal achievement scale in all participants, and
with the self-esteem scale in the control group. In summary, ultra-marathoners had
different motivations compared to runners of shorter race distance.
Conclusions
These findings should be considered by sport psychologists and other professionals to
develop performance-tailored interventions for ultra-marathoners.
Collapse