💥 INTERNAL VS. EXTERNAL MOTIVATION IN SPORTS

What type of motivation truly drives you forward – and which one holds you back?
A new 2025 study shows that the difference between them determines how long you can sustain performance, drive, and energy. 👇

⚡ 1️⃣ External Motivation = Pressure from the Outside
Medals, recognition, likes, or your coach’s expectations.
👉 It works – but only until the reward disappears.
Athletes often lose energy and direction because their motivation relies on external outcomes, not personal meaning.

🔥 2️⃣ Internal Motivation = Fuel from Within
You do it because you enjoy it. You love the process, the feeling of moving, of pushing yourself further.
The study shows that internal motivation boosts long-term performance, endurance, and satisfaction.
It’s less prone to burnout and maintains flow even without external rewards.

🧠 3️⃣ How to Cultivate It?
Ask yourself: “Why do I enjoy this?” or “What does this sport give me beyond results?”
Focus on the process, not just the goal.
Coaches can support internal motivation by giving athletes more autonomy, purpose, and space for personal growth.

💬 4️⃣ Key Takeaways from the Research (Alkasasbeh & Akroush, 2025)

Internal motivation → higher performance + stability

External motivation → quick start, but short-lived

Ideal approach: use external motivation as the starter, internal motivation as the engine.

Видео 💥 INTERNAL VS. EXTERNAL MOTIVATION IN SPORTS канала David Mühlbach - Mental Performance Coach