Upplevd motivation: En kvallitativ studie av tävlingsaktiva inom fitness

Syftet med studien var att undersöka upplevd motivation hos tävlingsaktiva inom fitness. Sex semistrukturerade intervjuer analyserades med en abduktiv tematisk ansats. Den teoretiska utgångspunkten var Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000). Resultatet delades in i fyra teman: Fitness som livsstil, Målsättningens betydelse för tävlingssatsningen, Upplevd valfrihet i fitnessutövandet samt Identitetsskapande inom fitness. Resultatet påvisade en spridning i informanternas tal vad gäller motivation. Utifrån denna spridning utvecklades två profiler: den valfria- och den rigida profilen. Informanter inom den valfria profilen var enligt vår uppfattning drivna av inre motivation och självbestämda former av yttre motivation. Vår tolkning var att träningsglädje, strävan efter personlig utveckling och frihet att ta beslut utifrån lust och behov främjade inre motivation inom denna profil. Informanter inom den rigida profilen var enligt vår tolkning drivna av kontrollerade former av yttre motivation, såsom introjicerad reglering. Vår uppfattning var att minskad flexibilitet kring tränings- och kostupplägg och ett fokus på att prestera bättre än andra underminerade inre motivation inom denna profil.The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived motivation of competative athletes in fitness. Six semi-structured interviews were analyzed using an abductive thematic approach. The analysis was based on Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000). The results were divided into four themes: Fitness lifestyle, The importance of goals in competition investment, Perceived freedom of choice in the pursuit of fitness, and Identity in fitness. The result showed a variation regarding motivation. Two different profiles were developed: the optional- and the rigid profile. Informants in the optional profile were in our opinion driven by internal motivation and self-determined forms of extrinsic motivation. Our interpretation were that training happiness, the pursuit of personal development and freedom to make decisions based on desires and needs promoted internal motivation within this profile. Informants within the rigid profile were according to our interpretation driven by controlled forms of extrinsic motivation, such as introjected regulation. Our interpretation were that reduced flexibility regarding training and diet approach and a focus on outperformi