Age and sponsorship as determinants of motivation orientation of extreme sports participation in Kenya

Abstract

Since 1970, extreme sports have grown in popularity as an alternative form of sports to the decline of dominant sports. However, the motives for individuals to engage in extreme sports are unknown due to the paucity of literature in Kenya. Therefore, this study explored the motivation orientation of 84 participants (61 males; 23 females: ages 18-35≥ years) in the 2015 Mount Kenya Extreme Sport Challenge (MKESC). Data collected using the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS) were analysed with independent t-test and ANOVA to evaluate the differences in the motivation orientation based on the participants’ age and sponsorship status. Results showed that the participants were intrinsically oriented. Significant differences were found between 18 - 24 and 25 - 34 years old participants regarding extrinsic motivation (p = .009) and intrinsic motivation (p= .012). Significant differences were found regarding specific motivation, intrinsic motivation to know, intrinsic motivation to experience stimulation and extrinsic motivationintrojected, respectively (p= .011, p= .034 & p= .005). Significant differences in intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were found between institution and self-sponsored participants (p=.001). As age and sponsorship influence motivation orientation towards participation in extreme sports in Kenya, organisers of such contests should be tactful to select activities which keep participants intrinsically motivated despite the presence of external sponsorship-related factors.