Part 3: Research of Behaviour Modification in Sport/Exercise

• Research Examples of Behaviour Modification in Sport & Exercise

  • Behavioural modification programmes have successfully:
  • Increased the pace of learning a new skill (rowing)
  • Increased productivity at practice 
  • To keep motivation to stay at a high intensity 
  • Improved gymnastic performance
  • Reduced errors/mistakes in tennis, gridiron/football, & gymnastics 
  • Improved sportspersonship attitudes
  • Fair play (towards rules)
  • Improved exercise adherence
  • Long term motivation 
  • Motivated to continue, &/or to maintain it
• Research Examples of Behaviour Modification in Sport & Exercise

  • Motivational Example: 
  • Rushall & Pettinger (1969)
  • Studied swimming workout productivity
  • 32 swimmers (9-15 years), 4 groups
  • Money (paid for reach lap swum)
  • Candy/Choc Bars (as their reward)
  • Coaches Attention (more 1 on 1 coaching)
  • Nothing (Control - trained like normal)
  • For each lap swum in under 60 secs
• Research Examples of Behaviour Modification in Sport & Exercise

  • Motivational Example: 
  • Rushall & Pettinger (1969)
  • Studied swimming workout productivity
  • 32 swimmers (9-15 years), 4 groups
  • Results:
  • Money & Chocolate bars were both really effective 
  • Coaches attention was more effective for older athletes 
  • Want to get better (have stuck around)
  • People respond to different rewards differently 
  • Don’t assume that 1 reward or a reward you think would cause behaviour modification
• Research Examples of Behaviour Modification in Sport & Exercise

  • People respond to different rewards differently 
  • Don’t assume that 1 reward or a reward you think would cause behaviour modification