Formation of motivation for judo classes in 9–10-year-old children

Abstract

Studying the motivational factors in children participating in sports is a relevant and important task for optimizing educational and training programs. Objective: To identify the factors influencing the motivation of 9–10-year-old children to participate in judo, and to develop and test a methodology designed to develop longterm interest in the sport and improve physical fitness. Materials and methods: The pedagogical experiment involved 30 boys aged 9–10 years, all of whom practiced judo at a sports school in Russia. They were divided into a control group (CG, n = 15) and an implementation group (IG, n = 15). The sports training program for all martial artists was based on the requirements of the federal judo standard. Athletes in the IG participated in one training session per week, incorporating the motivation development methodology we developed. This approach included activities tailored to address the psychological, age-related, and social characteristics of children. The initial level of motivation for judo in children was assessed using T. Ehlers' questionnaires, "Motivation to Achieve Success" and "Motivation to Avoid Failures." The study of dominant motivational goals in children during judo classes was performed using the "Motives for Doing Sports" technique. Control tests were performed for both the initial and final assessments of motor qualities. Results: At the beginning of the experiment, both observation groups showed a low level of motivation for judo. The primary factors influencing the development of motivation in children were social self-affirmation, the desire to achieve success in sports, and physical self-affirmation. The developed and tested methodology, designed to promote sustained interest in the sport, demonstrated high effectiveness. By the end of the experiment, a significant improvement in motivational factors and test scores was observed in all motor assessments, surpassing the results of the CG. Conclusions: Given the significant effectiveness of the proposed method in enhancing children's motivation to practice judo, it can be recommended for implementation in children's sports schools and judo programs.