Mental Health, Motivation & Training
Olle Wallberg & Anton Kalte (2021)
Abstract: Financial distress is a common challenge facing professional sports clubs, where high player salaries, amplified by intense player bidding, aggravate the situation. High salaries and performance bonuses are central to the clubs' reward systems, aiming to attract and motivate players to perform. However, some research on motivation and rewards suggests that extrinsic rewards risk reducing motivation through the 'crowding-out effect'. If such effects are detected among professional athletes, the rewards not only cause financial distress but also deteriorate motivation and performance. This thesis explores how the current reward systems in Sweden's top hockey league, the SHL, cohere with player motivation. A qualitative, single-case study has been conducted through semi-structured interviews with six players and three general managers. The empirics have been analyzed through a theoretical framework derived from several motivation theories. Our research confirms a large monetary focus in the reward systems but concludes that this aligns well with the players' extrinsic motivation without negatively affecting their intrinsic motivation. Nevertheless, the focus on extrinsic rewards might be unnecessarily high in relation to the composition of the players' motivation. From these conclusions, we argue that shifting the focus more towards non-monetary rewards could reduce the club's financial distress without necessarily altering player motivation.
Mind over Body: A study on mental training in elite ice hockey clubs (BSc)
Joel Birging & Fredrik Börjeson (2018)
Abstract: This study examines how the phenomenon of mental skills training in sport is facilitated in Swedish elite hockey clubs. The study investigates two main areas: In which ways do hockey clubs integrate the area of mental skills training into their organization and what types of attitudes towards mental skills training exist in the clubs, and how they are affected by the cultural context. A qualitative method is used by interviewing 12 employees distributed in three different clubs, with a focus on players, coaches, mental coaches, and managers. The aim is to receive a deep understanding of the subject through the perspective of people working with it. The findings show that there is a variation between the clubs in how they choose to apply mental skills training in their organization. The main difference is between choosing a top-down structural approach, where a mental coach is hired to develop a program that is applied throughout the organization, and a bottom-up approach, where coaches are given responsibility to work with mental skills training in their teams. Findings regarding the existing attitudes show that there is a general shift in the sport with positive attitudes emerging, and a view where mental skills are regarded as developable. Even though there is a general shift underway, the masculine culture of hockey is still present with a social stigma related to talking about mental difficulties and a willingness to display strength towards members of the organization.
Louise Wennerholm & Lina Andreasson (2016)
Abstract: A number of studies have shown evidence of interpersonal influences between team members within a sports setting. However, only a few studies have examined such influences between team members of non-task interdependent teams, a team setting that has been typically overlooked in scientific research. In the current study, this team setting was researched using data on Olympic national teams. The purpose of the study was to examine whether interpersonal influences, derived from performances, exist among members of an Olympic national team. 16,870 observations from six Winter Olympic Games and five Summer Olympic Games were collected. The data was analyzed in two separate studies, using linear regression models and Chi-square tests of independence. The results from the study showed that interpersonal influences, derived from performances, exist among team members within an Olympic national team. The results also showed that these influences vary between nations and the type of Olympic game.
The motivational factors driving athlete crowdfunding investments (MSc)
Oscar Eriksson & Olof Göransson (2015)
Abstract: This thesis contributes to the understanding of a previously scarcely researched part of an industry. Adding market-specific knowledge and insights will create the foundation for building upon further understanding of not only athlete-based crowdfunding investment decisions but also function as a base for crowdfunding research within other specific markets. Additionally, we create a practical contribution in two parts. Firstly, the athletes seeking funding for pursuing their careers gain insight into what their potential financiers are motivated by and can thereby increase their chances of funding through presenting themselves in an informed and attractive way. Secondly, the platforms functioning as intermediaries between athlete crowdfunders and crowdfundees can better present their athletes and match them to athlete investors in order to increase the likelihood of investments.