The Effect of Deceptive Feedback on Performance and Motivation of Division I College Swimmers

摘要

The purpose of the present study was to observe the influence of deceptive feedback on speed and motivation of Division I College Swimmers on 50-yard sprint times of the participants' main stroke. The 50-sprint times were recorded after each trial and analyzed using a 2 x 2 x 3 repeated measures ANCOVA. The nine items of the BRSQ were analyzed using a one-way multiple analysis of variance MANOVA. In hypothesis one, it was predicated that after deception was implemented swimmers would obtain a faster time in their subsequent time trial. Results of the ANCOVA, showed that the two experimental groups did not differ in their times across trial blocks, F(1,22)=.243, p=.627, etap2=.011. Nor was there a main effect for experimental group, F(1,22)=.018, p=.895, etap2=.001. These findings were used to test the second hypothesis, which stated that if a faster time was not obtained after deception, swimmers would maintain a similar time to trials prior to deception. Hypothesis three stated that swimmers who relied more on external feedback via their swim time or coach would increase their swim speed, while those who relied on internal feedback would maintain the same speed throughout their trials. A one- way MANOVA was used to test for differences in the internal and external motivation of the swimmers using the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ). The nine motivation classifications were used as dependent variables and entered into the MANOVA. Results showed that there was not a significant main effect in the deceptive groups and motivation, Wilks lambda (9,17)=1.83, p=.365, etap2 =.385. Overall, this study did not find that deceptive feedback improved speed and performance in Division I Swimmers. Future research on this topic should include a larger sample size and collect data closer to the subjects' end of season conference championship meet.