Journal of Sports and Motor Development and Learning

Abstract .
Introduction: The present study aimed to determine the role of meta-motivational dominance in predicting competitive anxiety and salivary cortisol in elite track and field athletes.
Methods: Ninety elite track and field athletes participated in this study. The Goal-Oriented Dominance Scale was used to measure and identify meta-motivational dominance, and the Persian version of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) was used to assess cognitive and somatic anxiety as well as self-confidence. Additionally, salivary cortisol levels were measured using a salivary cortisol ELISA assay kit. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient, stepwise multiple regression analysis, and independent samples t-test.
 Results: The results indicated a significant positive correlation between meta-motivational dominance and cognitive-somatic anxiety as well as salivary cortisol levels, and a significant negative correlation with self-confidence. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis revealed that meta-motivational dominance predicted 72% of the variance in cognitive-somatic anxiety, self-confidence, and salivary cortisol levels.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, meta-motivational dominance is associated with competitive anxiety and salivary cortisol levels. Specifically, the more goal-oriented individuals are, the higher their levels of cognitive and somatic anxiety and salivary cortisol, and the lower their self-confidence. Therefore, it is recommended that coaches pay close attention to the role and importance of meta-motivational patterns and emotional states in athletes, and provide conditions for recognizing meta-motivational dominance and negative emotions.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between coping strategies and metamotivation dominance in academic elite athletes based on reversal theory. 124 athletes who were the members of university sport teams participated in this study by convenience sampling method. In this study, Telic Dominance Scale was used to measure and determine metamotivation dominance and the Persian version of coping strategies questionnaire was utilized to assess athletes’ coping strategies. The results of K-S test showed that the data distribution was not normal; so data were analyzed by Spearman correlation coefficient and U Mann-Whitney test. The results of correlation test showed a negative and significant relationship between activity orientation coping strategies and Telic dominance and a positive and significant relationship between emotion orientation strategies and Telic dominance. Also, the results of U Mann-Whitney test showed that those with Telic used more emotion orientation strategies while those with Paratelic used more activity orientation strategies. Consequently, it is recommended that coaches should identify athletes’ metamotivation dominance to use appropriate coping strategies.

Abstract The main purpose of this study was to examine the effect of metamotivational states on self-efficacy perceptions and motor performance in dart throwing beginners in easy and difficult conditions. For this purpose, the paratelic dominance questionnaire (Cook & Gerkovich, 1993) was distributed among 140 male students, and 32 participants were randomly divided into two groups (16 in a telic group and 16 in a paratelic group). Each task consisted of three blocks of eight trials, and each trail consisted of 4 throws. Participants completed the Self-Efficacy Scale (Feltz & Chase, 1998) in their pretest and after trials 8, 16, 24. Data were analyzed with repeated measure, ANCOVA test and LSD post hoc test. The results showed a significant difference between paratelic and telic participants in self-efficacy perception (difficult task), and no significant difference in motor performance. Overall, the study only partially confirmed the reversal theory.