PhD, Associate Professor V.G. Ivanov¹
PhD S.I. Smirnov²
PhD, Associate Professor Y.A. Kovaleva³
S.G. Timofeeva¹
S.A. Kerimov^1
1Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg
²St. Petersburg Sports Team Training Center, St. Petersburg
³Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, St. Petersburg

Keywords: Cross of Nations, mass race competition, competitive motivations and priority values, service satisfaction survey, questionnaire survey

Background. Modern mass race competition and health racing sport on the whole are ranked among the most efficient popular physical education/ health encouragement initiatives – that need to be supported by sound information about the relevant popular key sporting motivations and priority values, attitudes and service satisfaction surveys to have the events customized to all these factors [1, 5]. The mass-race-competition-specific motivations and priority values of different population groups are of growing interest for the sport research community [2-4, 6], and the research data in its turn are considered highly beneficial for the event organizers and movement leaders for the service customization and popular interest and support encouragement purposes.

Objective of the study was to survey and analyze the key competitive motivations and priority values of the Cross of Nations mass race competitors.

Methods and structure of the study. We sampled active Cross of Nations mass race competitors (n=113) for a questionnaire survey and classified them by the competitive experiences into the Newcomer, Occasional and Habitual Groups. Gender and age analysis found the Newcomer Group virtually gender equal and the Occasional and Habitual Groups dominated by men; with the 19-29 and 30-55 year-olds leading in the age structure. It should be noted that the 55+ year-olds were virtually non-represented in the sample. In the social aspect, the sample was dominated by the university/ college students and employed individuals, with most of the sample reporting no other sports in their preferences.

Results and discussion. Given in Table 1 are the survey data that generally show the sporting agendas of the sample being non-correlated with their competitive records, as approximately one of five respondents in every group going in for sports on an occasional basis – from time to time.

Table 1. Cross of Nations mass race competition competitive experiences versus the individual sporting agendas, %

The survey data given in Table 2 show a wide variation of individual motivations and priority values for Cross of Nations and sports on the whole.

Table 2. Key motivations for the Cross of Nations mass race competition reported by the sample

The survey data found every respondent being motivated for the event, with motivations different in a wide range although generally determined by the practical competitive experiences (‘competing frequencies’). Thus the Newcomer and Occasional Groups underlined the ‘holiday atmosphere" and the Habitual Group “active rest and fun outdoors” as their key motivations; with all the three groups equally appreciating the “contacts with friends and teammates” among the key motivations for joining the event.

Sporting dimension has been in a growing priority for the event organizers and competitors for many years of the racing movement for its benefits including the promotional contributions from the highly-skilled/ professional sport celebrities to the events. This was the reason for us to find the sample attitudes to the sporting dimension of the Cross of Nations: see the survey data in Table 3.

Table 3. Sporting dimension of the Cross of Nations mass race competition rated by the sample, %

As demonstrated by the above table, most of the sample was supportive of the Cross of Nations sporting dimension, with the Newcomer and Habitual Groups equally hoping to win the title or medal; and relatively small shares in every group striving to qualify for the next sports class or a municipal picked team.

The survey was also designed to rate satisfaction of the sample with the Cross of Nations organization and management service. The service satisfaction data is of special importance for the event organizers since it is run on an annual basis. See the service satisfaction survey data in Table 4.

Table 4. Cross of Nations organization and management service satisfaction survey data, %

The service satisfaction survey found more than half of the sample happy with the event organization and management service, and only one of five respondents uncertain on the point.

Conclusion. The survey data and analyses found the Cross of Nations mass race competition competitors’ motivations and priority values varying in a wide range, with the survey data being of special importance for the event organizing and management service and mass participation encouragement initiatives. The service satisfaction survey found more than half of the sample being happy with the event organization and management service – that means that the event has made good progress and has a vast potential for further growth and popularity.

References

1. Orlan A.S. Motivational-value guidelines for health-improving physical education of female teachers. Uchenye zapiski universiteta im. P.F.Lesgafta. 2016. No. 3 (133). pp. 173-177. 27.
2. Sushchenko V.P., Shchegolev V.A., Agaev R.A. Institutional control mechanism for academic sports system. Teoriya i praktika fiz. kultury. 2019. No. 11. pp. 102-104.
3.  Belinchón-deMiguel P., Tornero-Aguilera J.F., Dalamitros, A.A., Nikolaidis P.T., Rosemann T., Knechtle B., Clemente-Suárez V. J. (2019). Multidisciplinary analysis of differences between finisher and non-finisher ultra-endurance mountain athletes. Frontiers in Physiology, 10 doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.01507
4. Hammoudi-Nassib S., Chtara M., Nassib S., Briki W., Hammoudi-Riahi S., Tod D., Chamari, K. (2014). Time interval moderates the relationship between psyching-up and actual sprint performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28(11), 3245-3254. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000000530
5. Malchrowicz-Mośko E., Poczta J., Adamczewska K. (2019). The potential of non-mega sporting events for the promotion of physical activity among inactive supporters at the Poznan half marathon: A case study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(21) doi:10 .3390/ijerph16214193
6. Nikolaidis P.T., Chalabaev A., Rosemann T., Knechtle B. (2019). Motivation in the Athens classic marathon: The role of sex, age, and performance level in Greek recreational marathon runners. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(14) doi:10.3390/ijerph16142549

Corresponding author: piskun@imop.ru

Abstract

Objective of the study was to survey and analyze the key competitive and sporting motivations and priority values of the Cross of Nations mass race competitors.

Methods and structure of the study. We sampled active Cross of Nations mass race competitors (n=113) for a questionnaire survey and classified them by the competitive experiences into the Newcomer, Occasional and Habitual Groups. Gender, age and social status analysis made it possible to profile the active competitors and rate and analyze in this context their key motivations, priority values and sporting agendas.

Results and conclusion. The survey data and analyses found the Cross of Nations mass race competitors’ motivations and priority values varying in a wide range, with the survey data being of special importance for the event organizing and management service and mass participation encouragement initiatives. The survey found the mass race competing experiences being virtually uncorrelated with the individual sporting motivations of the sample, although somewhat correlated with the priority values. The service satisfaction survey found more than half of the sample happy with the event organization and management service – that means that the event has made good progress and has a vast potential for further popularity.