Examining the validity of the polish short form version of the self-regulated learning—sport practice survey among competitive athletes

Abstract

IntroductionSelf-regulated learning entails psychological processes that elite athletes employ to optimize their practice. Although self-regulated learning provides insights into athlete-led practice, research has been limited to few cultures, and the particularities of how SRL surveys perform in new cultural contexts require attention. Moreover, there exists no measure to assess SRL and its relationship to quality sport practice in Polish. Thus, we examined the Short Form of the Self-Regulated Learning—Sport Practice survey in Polish. Analyses addressed the factorial validity and reliability, the criterion validity (by assessing differences in scores between competition levels), and the concurrent validity (by correlating scores with conceptually related constructs) of a Polish Short Form survey.MethodsAthletes (N = 324, Mage = 21.4, nfemales = 144, nmales = 180) from amateur, regional, national, and international-elite levels completed the survey, along with concurrent subscales (General Self-Efficacy Scale; GSES; Metacognitive-Self Scale; MS-24; Action Control Scale; ACS-90).ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis indicated a two-factor (metacognitive; motivational) model (RMSEA = 0.082, SRMR = 0.057, CFI = 0.89). Between-group tests showed international-elite scoring higher than all other groups on metacognitive and motivational subscales. On both subscales, significant trends indicated that more skilled levels consistently reported higher scores than lesser-skilled levels. The short form scores were associated with certain concurrent variables, including GSES (rmeta = 0.41, rmotiv = 0.48), MS-24 (rmeta = 0.39, rmotiv = 0.24), and ACS-90 (AOF subscale: rmotiv = 0.26).DiscussionOn the basis of strong criterion validity, and moderate evidence for concurrent validity, we conclude that the Polish Short Form of the Self-Regulated Learning—Sport Practice survey is a promising tool for use in Polish sport and we discuss future avenues of work to enhance its validation. Limitations that inform future research include our reliance on a mixed-sport sample, the lack of priming of obstacles/challenge ahead of self-report, and a lack of consideration of sport-specific practice variables in analyses.

On the self-regulation of sport practice: Moving the narrative from theory and assessment toward practice

“…Outside of pilot work with applied consultants, initial insights into how the SRSP could be used in an applied context came in a Polish case study. Siekańska et al (2020) validated a shortform version of the SRL-SP in Polish and had an experienced SPC implement it in her discussions with a highly elite freediver. The athlete first completed the survey in reference to his current training experiences, and then reflected on how he may have responded as a sub-elite athlete six years earlier, before he implemented mental training into his practice.…”

“…Post-practice, it had become easier for him to evaluate his weaknesses because he also learned to simultaneously seek information to evaluate strengths, which maintained his self-confidence. Siekańska et al (2020) concluded that the survey could inform fruitful discussion on how athletes manage their own learning via planning, monitoring, and corrective methods in training. They saw it as a useful dialogue tool for helping athletes develop proactive SRL approaches to their practice tasks.…”