The associations and development of motivational climate, achievement goals, and physical functional skills in young floorball players

The present study examined the associations and development of motivational climate, achievement goals, and physical functional skills in young floorball players, as simultaneous antecedents and outcomes of achievement goals and the game of floorball warrant further studies. A total of 283 male players with a mean age of 11.49 (±.27) years in the beginning of the data collection were followed across two measurement phases, separated by a 12-month interval. Players completed physical functional skill tests and self-report questionnaires. The findings showed that the perceptions of task-involving coaching practices that encourage learning and effort over competition were moderately related with mastery-approach, whereas perceptions of ego-involving climate were moderately linked with performance-approach and performance-avoidance. Higher mastery-avoidance was also linked with weaker aerobic endurance. Finally, performance-approach, mastery-approach, performance-avoidance, running speed, aerobic endurance, and lower limb strength improved over time. To reduce negative perceptions of mastery-avoidance and develop young floorball players’ physical functional skills, it could be important that coaches promote appealing aerobic endurance activities. For instance, by providing opportunities to design or lead an activity or through formulating options representing a wide range of endurance training activities, especially among players with higher perceptions of mastery-avoidance.