The influence of ego-involving climates on perceived competence and commitment for U.S. Masters swimmers

IntroductionThe climate adults experience in their sport and physical activity endeavors may be central for them staying active and promoting healthy aging. Researchers have focused on the adaptive effects of the task-involving climate on adults’ sport experiences, though little attention has been g...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Troy O. Wineinger, Mary D. Fry, Haiying Long, Theresa C. Brown
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1574429/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850040277212856320
author Troy O. Wineinger
Troy O. Wineinger
Mary D. Fry
Haiying Long
Theresa C. Brown
author_facet Troy O. Wineinger
Troy O. Wineinger
Mary D. Fry
Haiying Long
Theresa C. Brown
author_sort Troy O. Wineinger
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe climate adults experience in their sport and physical activity endeavors may be central for them staying active and promoting healthy aging. Researchers have focused on the adaptive effects of the task-involving climate on adults’ sport experiences, though little attention has been given to the maladaptive influences of an ego-involving climate.MethodsThe purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between Masters swimmers’ perceptions of an ego-involving climate, competence, and commitment, as well as investigate the moderating effect of perceived competence on Masters swimmers’ commitment within ego-involving climates. U.S. Masters swimmers (n = 566; Mage = 54.82; White 73.70%; female 67%) competing in coach-led programs completed an online survey.ResultsLatent moderated SEM analyses revealed that Masters swimmers’ perceptions of an ego-involving climate did not predict their sport commitment, although the interactive effect of an ego-involving climate and perceived competence was significant for commitment. Conditional effects further revealed that while athletes with higher perceptions of competence showed a positive relationship between ego-involving climate and sport commitment, a stronger negative association was observed for Masters swimmers with lower perceptions of competence in an ego-involving climate.DiscussionAdults, regardless of experience or expertise, can benefit from participating in physical activity and avoiding ego-involving tendencies is essential to fostering their commitment to staying active.
format Article
id doaj-art-d2b2d96335ca425688a77dc58ff21a2f
institution DOAJ
issn 1664-1078
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Psychology
spelling doaj-art-d2b2d96335ca425688a77dc58ff21a2f2025-08-20T02:56:08ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-05-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15744291574429The influence of ego-involving climates on perceived competence and commitment for U.S. Masters swimmersTroy O. Wineinger0Troy O. Wineinger1Mary D. Fry2Haiying Long3Theresa C. Brown4School of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Studies, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United StatesDepartment of Educational Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United StatesDepartment of Educational Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United StatesDepartment of Educational Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United StatesSchool of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United StatesIntroductionThe climate adults experience in their sport and physical activity endeavors may be central for them staying active and promoting healthy aging. Researchers have focused on the adaptive effects of the task-involving climate on adults’ sport experiences, though little attention has been given to the maladaptive influences of an ego-involving climate.MethodsThe purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between Masters swimmers’ perceptions of an ego-involving climate, competence, and commitment, as well as investigate the moderating effect of perceived competence on Masters swimmers’ commitment within ego-involving climates. U.S. Masters swimmers (n = 566; Mage = 54.82; White 73.70%; female 67%) competing in coach-led programs completed an online survey.ResultsLatent moderated SEM analyses revealed that Masters swimmers’ perceptions of an ego-involving climate did not predict their sport commitment, although the interactive effect of an ego-involving climate and perceived competence was significant for commitment. Conditional effects further revealed that while athletes with higher perceptions of competence showed a positive relationship between ego-involving climate and sport commitment, a stronger negative association was observed for Masters swimmers with lower perceptions of competence in an ego-involving climate.DiscussionAdults, regardless of experience or expertise, can benefit from participating in physical activity and avoiding ego-involving tendencies is essential to fostering their commitment to staying active.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1574429/fulladultsseniorsachievement goal perspective theoryphysical activitymotivational climate
spellingShingle Troy O. Wineinger
Troy O. Wineinger
Mary D. Fry
Haiying Long
Theresa C. Brown
The influence of ego-involving climates on perceived competence and commitment for U.S. Masters swimmers
Frontiers in Psychology
adults
seniors
achievement goal perspective theory
physical activity
motivational climate
title The influence of ego-involving climates on perceived competence and commitment for U.S. Masters swimmers
title_full The influence of ego-involving climates on perceived competence and commitment for U.S. Masters swimmers
title_fullStr The influence of ego-involving climates on perceived competence and commitment for U.S. Masters swimmers
title_full_unstemmed The influence of ego-involving climates on perceived competence and commitment for U.S. Masters swimmers
title_short The influence of ego-involving climates on perceived competence and commitment for U.S. Masters swimmers
title_sort influence of ego involving climates on perceived competence and commitment for u s masters swimmers
topic adults
seniors
achievement goal perspective theory
physical activity
motivational climate
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1574429/full
work_keys_str_mv AT troyowineinger theinfluenceofegoinvolvingclimatesonperceivedcompetenceandcommitmentforusmastersswimmers
AT troyowineinger theinfluenceofegoinvolvingclimatesonperceivedcompetenceandcommitmentforusmastersswimmers
AT marydfry theinfluenceofegoinvolvingclimatesonperceivedcompetenceandcommitmentforusmastersswimmers
AT haiyinglong theinfluenceofegoinvolvingclimatesonperceivedcompetenceandcommitmentforusmastersswimmers
AT theresacbrown theinfluenceofegoinvolvingclimatesonperceivedcompetenceandcommitmentforusmastersswimmers
AT troyowineinger influenceofegoinvolvingclimatesonperceivedcompetenceandcommitmentforusmastersswimmers
AT troyowineinger influenceofegoinvolvingclimatesonperceivedcompetenceandcommitmentforusmastersswimmers
AT marydfry influenceofegoinvolvingclimatesonperceivedcompetenceandcommitmentforusmastersswimmers
AT haiyinglong influenceofegoinvolvingclimatesonperceivedcompetenceandcommitmentforusmastersswimmers
AT theresacbrown influenceofegoinvolvingclimatesonperceivedcompetenceandcommitmentforusmastersswimmers