# Effect of sports education on students’ classroom motivational climate in physical education: a qualitative investigation

## TL;DR

This study explores how the Sports Education Model affects students' motivation in physical education through qualitative insights.

## Contribution

The study provides qualitative evidence on how the Sports Education Model influences students' motivational climate in PE.

## Key findings

- SEM intervention improved perceptions of mastery, relationship, autonomy, and performance climates.
- SEM supports students' needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence in PE.
- Findings support integrating Self-Determination Theory and Achievement Goal Theory in PE practice.

## Abstract

Creating a positive motivational climate in physical education (PE) is crucial for enhancing student engagement. A substantial body of research suggests that the Sports Education Model (SEM) can foster a positive classroom atmosphere. However, there remains a lack of qualitative evidence examining the effects of this model from the students’ experiential perspective.

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of SEM intervention based on basketball on middle school students’ perceptions of the motivational climate in PE classrooms, using qualitative research methods to gain a deeper understanding of its underlying mechanisms.

The study was conducted over 15 weeks with four first-year middle school classes (n = 121) from an eastern province of China. The EG participated in basketball season activities based on the SEM, while the control group received traditional PE instruction. After the intervention, semi-structured interviews were conducted with three students from each group, purposively selected based on varying motivational profiles. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

The SEM intervention was associated with positive changes in students’ perceptions of the motivational climate across four key dimensions: mastery climate, relationship support, autonomy support, and performance climate.

SEM is an effective teaching model for fostering an integrated motivational climate that addresses students’ needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence. This study provides empirical support for the integration of Self-Determination Theory and Achievement Goal Theory in PE practice and offers a structured pathway for teachers to enhance student motivation.