Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation: Which statement best describes the difference and impact on training adherence?

• A. Intrinsic motivation comes from within (enjoyment, personal goals); extrinsic from external rewards; both influence effort and persistence.
• B. Intrinsic from external rewards; extrinsic from within; neither affects training adherence.
• C. Intrinsic includes fame and money; extrinsic includes love of sport; only intrinsic affects adherence.
• D. Intrinsic is about social approval; extrinsic is about personal growth; only extrinsic affects adherence.

Answer: (A)

Motivation in sport has two forms: intrinsic motivation comes from within (enjoyment, personal goals, a sense of mastery); extrinsic motivation comes from outside (rewards, praise, recognition, or pressure). Both types influence how hard someone trains and how long they stay with it.

This statement is best because it accurately captures that adherence to training is shaped by both internal satisfaction and external incentives. Intrinsic motivation helps people keep training because they genuinely enjoy the activity and value personal progress, while extrinsic motivation can boost effort, especially at the start or when goals are connected to rewards. Together, they influence both how much effort someone puts in and how persistent they are over time.

The other options mix up where motivation comes from or imply that only one type affects adherence, which isn’t supported by how motivation works in practice.