# A taxonomy of athletic values and implications for clinical practice

## TL;DR

This study explores the importance of various athletic values among student-athletes to improve sport psychological practices.

## Contribution

The study introduces a taxonomy of athletic values based on student-athletes' perceptions of their importance.

## Key findings

- Intrinsic values were perceived as most important for athletic performance and excellence.
- Minimal differences in value importance were found across gender, ethnicity, and sport classification.
- The findings can guide value-based approaches in sport psychological practices.

## Abstract

The current study surveyed collegiate student-athletes regarding their perceived level of importance surrounding 30 previously derived and empirically obtained athletic values to improve viability of sport psychological practices.

A total of 162 student-athletes enrolled in a private Midwestern NCAA Division 1 university within the United States of America completed tasks asking them to sort and rate utilized values based upon perceived importance surrounding athletic performance and sustained excellence.

Results revealed a hierarchy of athletic values, favoring intrinsic values, useable when emphasizing the importance of value-driven behavior in applied sport psychological practices. Minimal differences were seen across gender, ethnicity, sport classification, and other comparative groups.

Current results may help inform sport psychological practice while working within value-based frameworks.