# The influence of ego-involving climates on perceived competence and commitment for U.S. Masters swimmers

## TL;DR

This study explores how an ego-focused environment affects the motivation and commitment of older swimmers in the U.S.

## Contribution

The study reveals how perceived competence moderates the impact of an ego-involving climate on sport commitment in Masters swimmers.

## Key findings

- An ego-involving climate alone does not predict sport commitment in Masters swimmers.
- Perceived competence moderates the relationship between ego-involving climates and sport commitment.
- Lower perceived competence leads to stronger negative associations with commitment in ego-focused environments.

## Abstract

The climate adults experience in their sport and physical activity endeavors may be central for them staying active and promoting healthy aging. Researchers have focused on the adaptive effects of the task-involving climate on adults’ sport experiences, though little attention has been given to the maladaptive influences of an ego-involving climate.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between Masters swimmers’ perceptions of an ego-involving climate, competence, and commitment, as well as investigate the moderating effect of perceived competence on Masters swimmers’ commitment within ego-involving climates. U.S. Masters swimmers (n = 566; Mage = 54.82; White 73.70%; female 67%) competing in coach-led programs completed an online survey.

Latent moderated SEM analyses revealed that Masters swimmers’ perceptions of an ego-involving climate did not predict their sport commitment, although the interactive effect of an ego-involving climate and perceived competence was significant for commitment. Conditional effects further revealed that while athletes with higher perceptions of competence showed a positive relationship between ego-involving climate and sport commitment, a stronger negative association was observed for Masters swimmers with lower perceptions of competence in an ego-involving climate.

Adults, regardless of experience or expertise, can benefit from participating in physical activity and avoiding ego-involving tendencies is essential to fostering their commitment to staying active.