Impact of the Theory of Self-Determination on Basic Psychological Needs in Secundary School Students

Abstract

Choosing a suitable teaching style focused on the objectives in physical education lessons is presented as an important element as it can play a key role in generating adherence to physical activity in adolescents. The objective of the study was to analyse the existing differences in the satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs, between two groups that received the same Pickleball didactic unit. One group received the lessons through the traditional teaching style of task assignment and the other through an active methodology based on the Theory of Self-Determination. The intervention lasted five weeks, where eight physical education lessons were given to a first grade of Secondary Education group, consisting of 89 students. In the results it was observed a significant improvement was observed in both groups in the three variables, autonomy, relatedness and competence. It is concluded that directly, through this proposal and intervention, they produce the desired increases in the three variables. In addition to this, other improvements were obtained indirectly, according to the Self-Determination Theory, such as greater intrinsic motivations.