The Importance of psychological constructs for training volume and performance improvement. A structural equation model for youth speed skaters

To investigate the importance of self-regulated learning, motivation, and goal orientation for training volume and performance improvement, 63 talented Dutch speed skaters (n=35 male; n=28 female) aged 11 to 22 completed the Self-Regulation of Learning-Self-Report Scale (SRL-SRS; Toering et al., 2012), Sports Motivation Scale (SMS; Pelletier et al., 1995), Task and Ego Orientation in Sports Questionnaire (TEOSQ" Duda & Nicholls, 1992) and a questionnaire for training volume. Performance improvement over one competitive season was based on the national ranking of the Dutch National Speed Skating Association. Structural Equation Modeling in LISREL showed that task orientation and intrinsic motivation were positively associated with the self-regulation learning skills planning and reflection, which in turn, were positively related to training volume and a greater performance improvement. Additionally, ego orientation was positively related to performance improvement. These clear relations between several psychological constructs and their combined importance for training volume and performance improvement over one season are relevant for those working with talented athletes.