Motivational climate as psychological regulator of athletes'' Activity

The article is devoted to analysis of investigations of motivational climate in sport context that was conducted in different countries. Motivational climate is regarded as significant regulator of athletes' activity and mental states. The article contains analysis of theoretical framework of motivational climate investigations, behavioral manifestations of its different types that influence athletes' activity, their mental states and involvement in sport activity in more or less positive way. Methods of motivational climate investigation are discussed. Empirical data on specificity of influence of coaches, parents and peers of athletes' on motivational climate are presented. Results of motivational climate investigations conducted in different countries are compared. Motivational climate is defined as a system of social expectations, values, social standards, rewards or negative reinforcements created by athletes' social environment and influencing their personal motivation. Most of investigations analyze two types of motivational climate: task-oriented and ego-oriented. The investigations presents numerous evidences of task-oriented motivational climate positive influence on athletes' sport commitment, interest to self-improvement, mental toughness, resistance to burnout, cooperation with other athletes. Promising perspectives of motivational climate investigation in sport context are discussed.