Socio-environmental factors influence on young track and field athletes participation in sport

This research was aimed to identify the influence of socio-environmental factors on track and field athletes of age 13–17 participation in sport. Questionnaire method was used to examine 52 athletes (age 13–17). Interview method was applied to question 11 coaches of track and field athletics. Analysis of survey data revealed that the most important socio-environmental factor that determined cadets and juniors choice to engage in sport was a possibility to communicate with other athletes and coach (cadets – 60.2%; juniors – 66.7%). Young athletes attended trainings because of intentions to achieve high sport results (100% cadets; 92.6% juniors) and to participate in sport competitions (80.3% cadets; 88.9% juniors). Coaches’ interview revealed that choice of track and field athletics and frequency of participating in trainings were influenced by the complexity of socio-environmental factors: authority of the coach (regularity, ability to interest), parents’ and friends’ recommendations, conditions of trainings. Conclusion. Social factors were of major importance for cadets and juniors in choosing track and field athletics, though self-realization goals were of higher importance for young athletes when participating in sport. KEYWORDS: socio-environmental factors, young track and field athletes, sport activity.