Effectiveness of Goal-Setting Intervention on the Motivation and Sports Performance of Al Amin Secondary School Handball Players (Keberkesanan Intervensi Penetapan Matlamat terhadap Motivasi dan Prestasi Sukan Pemain Bola Baling Sekolah Menengah Al-Amin)

Abstract

Goal setting is a recognized technique for enhancing sports performance and athlete motivation by setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a goal-setting intervention on the motivation and performance levels of handball players at Al-Amin Secondary School. A quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test control groups was employed, involving 30 players divided equally into treatment and control groups. The Goal Setting Questionnaire (GSQ) and Athlete’s Subjective Performance Scale (ASPS) were used to measure motivation and performance, respectively. The independent samples t-test revealed that the treatment group, which participated in the goal-setting intervention, showed significantly higher motivation and performance levels compared to the control group during the mid-point test (p < 0.05). Paired samples t-tests further confirmed the intervention’s effectiveness, showing significant improvements in both motivation (mean difference = -6.000, p < 0.001) and performance (mean difference = -29.133, p < 0.001) after six weeks. The findings align with existing literature, demonstrating that structured goal-setting interventions significantly enhance both motivation and performance in sports contexts. However, variability in the data suggests that individual differences and contextual factors play a crucial role in the effectiveness of these interventions. Future research should explore the long-term effects of goal setting and consider tailoring interventions to individual athlete needs to maximize their impact. This study highlights the potential of goal setting as a powerful tool for improving athletic outcomes in school sports programs.