Cheerleading e motivação: um estudo com equipes universitárias brasileiras

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the reasons that lead university students to practice cheerleading. We sought to map the socio-demographic profile of these students; identify the factors that led them to integrate and what leads them to remain in the team; and assess the main difficulties faced by these students and their teams. For data collection, the following were used: sociodemographic questionnaire; Participation Motivation Questionnaire; questionnaire with discursive questions. The study included 100 student-athletes, 77 women and 23 men, aged between 18 and 27 years old. The results showed that the main factor that drives these students to practice the sport is the search for “technical competence”; and what led them to join a team was their “passion / admiration” for the sport. The maintenance of the team is motivated by the "bond" with other members; and the main difficulties encountered by students and teams are "financial problems". From the moment they join a team, the motivations of these students become much more intrinsic than extrinsic. The search for technical competence and skills improvement are confronted by financial problems, which can contribute to the athletes' demotivation. Although the “bond with the team” is appointed as the main motivational factor for staying on the team, the affiliation factor was not very expressive. Conclusion: from the moment onwards, students become part of a team, the motivations of students turn to the technical development of the sport, not restricted to subjective aspects.