P O LY T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Introduction

The goal of every athlete is to join in prestigious athletic events. It is the attitude that

motivates the person to challenge things through their skills and abilities especially in sports

with the combination of experience. In a competition, every athlete has encountered a

different experience that depends on the result of the competition. Sports Traits Confidence

is one of the qualities of an athlete that plays a big role whenever he/she is in the

competition. Sports Traits Confidence has a major part to play in an athletic performance

and can be built systematically.

As Munroe-Chandler, Hall, and Fishburne (2008) stated that confidence has

consistently been one of the most discernible and influential factors when distinguishing

between successful athletes and non-successful athletes, while Badami, VaezMousavi,

Wulf, and Namazizadeh (2012) concluded that high levels of self-confidence in athletes has

been linked to more intense positive thoughts, feelings and adequate levels of

preparedness, allowing athletes to feel more comfortable and in turn perform at a higher

level.

Self-confidence is related with the perception that we have of ourselves and what we

want to be. In sports, it is very important for every athlete to have a high self-confidence to

allow them to put all their effort in what they do to achieve good results while having low self-

confidence is one of the biggest problems to deal with for athletes. A lot of questions and

queries about how we achieve a total confidence when facing challenges, difficult situations,
 P O LY T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S 2

temptations and adversity. Also, on how to achieve total confidence when it comes to

competition.

Sports-traits confidence is also defined as the athlete's level of certainty they will

have a successful performance in training and competition, considering their own resources

and ability. It is characterized by the athlete's conviction they will be successful in moments

where there is a high success expectation. Karageorghis and Terry (2011); Weinberg and

Gould (2011).

It is also a general term used in various environments but in sport settings, self-

confidence or sport-confidence, refers to the certainty an individual athlete possesses about

their ability to be successful in sport Munroe-Chandler et.al., (2008). It is often measured

and referred to as a trait although research suggests that it contains both state- and trait-like

properties of Thomas, Lane & Kingston (2011).

High levels of sport confidence may also produce and encourage more intense and

frequent achievement behaviors such as effort and persistence, which are crucial to athlete

success irrespective of competition level. This finding would suggest that athletes who

possess higher levels of sport confidence are more likely to succeed due to the fact that

they are more likely to persist in the face of adversity and more likely to put more effort into

training, competing and mastering their skills by Hays et al., (2009).

It has often been said that children and young athlete when playing sports will gain

enjoyment which is the most important emotion that will help them with personal

development and provides valuable lessons and life skills. Life skills are defined as “ranges

of transferable skills needed for everyday life, by everybody, that help people thrive” of

Jones and Lavallee (2009).

Sports enjoyment is the most important emotion for every athlete. Having fun in

doing sports is the reason why athlete start engaging in sports and pursue to play. Athletes
 P O LY T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S 3

start to have positive emotional response to their sport involvement that comprehends

feelings, such as fun, pleasure, liking, and love.

This study is designed to determine the level of sports traits confidence and

enjoyment among selected elementary athletes in Manila. This problem looked into the

different areas that are considered to be the important factor in attainment of the objectives.

These factors are: Level of Sports Traits Confidence and Enjoyment of a particular athletes

who will be given a survey. Looking to the different factors would help the coaches and

trainers identify the different areas to be given importance in their training program so that

their athletes will be able to achieve high level of performance and an unforgettable

experience that will help them during competition. It will serve as baseline information to

improve their sports performance and make competitive experience worthwhile and

meaningful.

Theoretical Framework

The study is grounded on the theory of Self-Efficacy by Albert Bandura. According to

Bandura (1994), Self-Efficacy is defined as people's beliefs about their capabilities to

produce designated levels of performance that exercise influence over events that affect

their lives. Self-efficacy beliefs determine how people feel, think, motivate themselves and

behave. Such beliefs produce these diverse effects through four major processes. They

include cognitive, motivational, affective and selection processes.

Self-Efficacy Theory

Having high levels of self-confidence is no guarantee of success and will not

compensate for lack of skill, but in situations where competitors are evenly matched it can

be the crucial determinant. In research, confidence has been shown to consistently

distinguish between highly successful and less successful athletes. Although many people
 P O LY T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S 4

mistakenly assume that confidence reflects performance and think that becoming confident

when performed consistently well. It is becoming increasingly evident that confidence can be

established beforehand.

Sport psychologists define self-confidence as the belief that one can successfully

perform a desired behavior. Confident athletes expect success and have a high level of self-

belief that appears crucial in determining how far they strive towards their goals. It is largely

confidence that determines whether people give up or remain committed to their goals

following a series of setbacks. For the sake of simplicity, it may consider self-confidence as

conceptually opposite to cognitive anxiety (negative beliefs and performance worries). Both

are related to the beliefs and both, ultimately, influence the performance.

According to psychologist Albert Bandura, performers’ situational-specific

confidence, or ‘self-efficacy’, is based on four primary sources of information, represented

graphically in Figure 1. The first and most important factor is past performance

accomplishments. What must have achieved in training and competition forms the basis of

future expectations of success or failure. Repeated success naturally leads to positive

expectations of further success, higher motivation and enhanced self-belief.

Figure 1: Sources of Self-Confidence

 P O LY T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S 5

Unfortunately, the flip side of this principle is that repeated failures can give rise to a

downward performance spiral whereby a performer starts to believe that success is

unattainable. Of course, such an athlete does not mysteriously lose his or her physical skills

and talents, but without confidence in these abilities high-level performance is rarely

achieved.

The implication of Bandura’s work for coaches is that it is vital for them to make sure

their athletes achieve success, even if this means renegotiating overly ambitious goals. The

athletes’ perceptions are of more importance.

Research has suggested that athletes can also gain confidence from viewing the

successful performances of others at a similar level. This second source of information is

known as ‘modelling’ or ‘vicarious experience’. For example, a tennis player lacking

confidence in her attacking might find it useful to have a peer who has overcome similar

difficulties demonstrate the skill. By viewing others, we begin to see that, with effort, success

is attainable. The very common use of celebrities in fitness videos is an example of

modelling.

A third way for coaches to help build confidence is through verbal persuasion. By

means of careful reasoning, athletes can be shown that other people have confidence in

their abilities and believe they can achieve set goals. Coaches may even use deception to

persuade their athletes that goals can be achieved – of which more lately. Verbal persuasion

can also take the form of ‘self-talk’, whereby the athlete convinces himself that success will

follow.

Finally, Bandura suggest that emotional arousal can influence confidence. Although

this is the least influential factor, it is important that physiological symptoms are perceived

positively rather than negatively. Confidence can be enhanced by perceiving increases in

 P O LY T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S 6

heart and respiration rate as the body’s natural preparation for top performance rather than

as triggers for anxiety.

Clearly, confidence is enhanced by good preparation, planning and a sense of

optimism. Conversely, negative thinking and pessimism can undermine performance and

limit progress. By expecting failure, we set our belief system to a negative channel and start

favoring information that is consistent with these beliefs.

During a training session it has done some things well and struggled with others.

When having a negative mind-set, we tend to focus only on the things that went badly,

leading to what psychologists call negative self-fulfilling prophecies and psychological

barriers.
 P O LY T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S 7

Conceptual Framework

The study sought to uncover the level of sports traits confidence and enjoyment in

competition of respondents. Bandura’s self-efficacy theory guided the formulation of the

conceptual framework of this study.

Figure 2. Conceptual Framework

1. Profile of the respondents in ● Data Gathering

terms of: • Trait Sport
1.1 age Confidence
1.2 sex
1.3 sports involvement
1.4 school
Questionnaire Level of
(TSCQ) of Dr. Sports Traits
2. Level of Sports Traits Robin Vealey Confidence
Confidence and Level of
• Sources of
Enjoyment in Enjoyment of
3. Level of Enjoyment in terms
of the following: Youth Sport Elementary
3.1 Self-Referenced Questionnaire Athletes in
Competency (SEYSQ) of Manila
3.2 Other-Referenced Dr. Lenny
Competency and Recognition Wiersma
3.3 Effort Expenditure
3.4 Competitive Excitement ● Analysis and
3.5 Affiliation with Peers interpretation
3.6 Positive Parental of the data
Involvement

Figure 2 shows the conceptual framework of the study. The input includes the

variables to be investigated such as profile of the elementary athletes in terms of age, sex,

and sports involvement; the level of Sports traits confidence and the level of enjoyment in

terms of Self-Referenced Competency, Other-Referenced Competency and Recognition,

Effort Expenditure, Competitive Excitement, Affiliation with Peers, Positive Parental

Involvement. While, the process deals with the data gathering procedure, and treatment of
 P O LY T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S 8

the data. And the Output, is determined the level of sports traits confidence and enjoyment

on elementary athletes of Manila.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to find out the difference between the level of sports traits

confidence and the level of enjoyment of the respondent. Also, it sought to answer

the following sub problems:

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:

1.1 Age;

1.2 Gender;

1.3 Sports Involvement; and

1.4 School?

2. What is the level of sports traits confidence of the respondents?

3. What is the level of enjoyment of the respondents

3.1 Self-Referenced Competency;

3.2 Other-Referenced Competency and Recognition;

3.3 Effort Expenditure;

3.4 Competitive Excitement;

3.5 Affiliation with Peers; and

3.6 Positive Parental Involvement?

Hypothesis

There is no hypothesis on this study. This only shows the level of sports traits

confidence and enjoyment of respondents when competing in sports.

 P O LY T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S 9

Scope and Limitations of the Study

The study was conducted to determine level of sports traits confidence and

level of enjoyment in terms of self-referenced competency, other-referenced competency

and recognition, effort expenditure, competitive excitement, affiliation with peers, and

positive parental involvement of the selected elementary athletes of Manila.

There were 126 respondents coming from 73 elementary schools in Manila.

Furthermore, respondents are student-athletes who participated in the recently concluded

“Palarong Maynila 2018” slated from November 10 to November 16, 2018 in different

sports event such as Arnis, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Chess, Sepak

Takraw, Softball, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, and Volleyball.

Significance of the Study

This study is deemed significant to the following group of people in institution;

Student Athletes. The result of the study will provide baseline information on the

level of sports traits confidence and the level of enjoyment of the elementary student

athletes thus, appropriate training program can be designed to further improve their sports

skills that lead to attainment of happiness.

Coaches. Specific training program can be designed out from the result of this study.

A training program that will further enhance the sports skills of the student-athletes

specifically for elementary level.

Trainers. Enough training time can be designed out from the result of this study.

Proper scheduling that will help the pupil athlete in mastery of the skills.

School Administrators. This may provide them with insights on how to resolve

problems encountered by PE Teachers to the teaching and learning outcomes of Physical

Education and sports.

 P O LY T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S 10

Department of Education. The researcher hopes that this study will somehow

contribute to the strengthening of sports education programs and other educational

purposes. It could be a way to advocate sports and physical education nationwide. This

also supplements limited resources related in sports traits confidence and level of

enjoyment.

Definition of Terms

The following terms were defined operationally to facilitate better understanding.

Competitive Excitement. The feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness in a

situation in which athletes are trying to win a competition and having a strong desire to win

or be the best in a competition.

Competitive Experience. As a general concept comprises knowledge of or skill in or

observation of some thing or some event gained through involvement in or exposure to that

thing or event. The history of the word experience aligns it closely with the concept of

experiment.

Effort Expenditures. The expending effort in doing such sports whether it is

individual, dual or team sports.

Enjoyment. The positive affect that reflects their generalized feelings such as liking,

pleasure, and fun of Scanlan and Lewthwaite (1986).

Level of Enjoyment. The measurement to the extent of the ability to perform sports

with a feeling of pleasure and fun.

Level of Sports Confidence. The measurement to the extent of the ability to

perform sports with a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own

abilities or qualities.

Parental Encouragement. Predictors of enjoyment associated with having parental

interest and encouragement for competition involvement.

 P O LY T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S 11

Self-Confidence. Self-confidence is a belief in one’s ability needed by a person who

wants to have a good life. Sport confidence refers to the beliefs or degree of certain

individual about their ability to be successful in the sports they played. This is also the

specific talents you bring to the sport, large or small. This is the quality that an athlete must

have, to achieve those goals as an athlete. (Bandura 1986).

Sports Traits Confidence. The belief or degree of certainty individual possess

about their ability to be successful in sports (Vealey 1986). The ability to execute skills

successfully, ability to make critical decisions, perform under pressure, make successful

strategies, ability to focus or concentrate, the ability to adapt to different game situations, the

ability to achieve competitive goals, the ability to be successful to the most confident

athletes by Vealey (1986).