Examining the Motivational Barriers to Youth Sport: A Qualitative Study

Identifying motivational barriers to sport participation in children and adolescents is important for engaging them in sport activities. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore perceptions of children and adolescents, parents, and sport coaches about barriers of youth sport participation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 children and adolescents, 8 parents, and 5 coaches. Content analysis was employed to analysis the transcripts. The results of the data analysis yielded some themes as the motivational barriers to participation in sport by children and adolescents that were grouped into two domains: the personal and the environment barriers. Constituent themes in the personal barrier’s domain included: the lack of having sport talent and lack of progression in sport, not pleasuring from participation in sport, and sport related injuries. Constituent themes related to the environmental barrier’s domain included: lake of sports culture, lake of facilities, economic problems, not being supported, and not having future. This qualitative study provided a deeper understanding about motivational barriers for habituation to sport in children and adolescents. The themes would lead youth sports organizers, parents, and coaches to motivate youth to participate and endure in sport activities by changing the personal and environmental factors.