Intrinsic motivation and associated benefits has been one of the main investigation areas in Sport Psychology. However, the same is not denoted for the knowledge as behaviors are intrinsically regulated and internalized by individuals. The purpose of the present study is to define the validity of the self-determination's continuum application (Deci & Ryan, 1985) in the Physical Education context. A sample of 1099 students (544 girls and 555 boys) with an average age of 14.66±0.75 years old answered an adaptation and translation of the Goudas, Biddle and Fox (1994) questionnaire that measures the motivational types delimited in the continuum. Structural equation modeling procedures evidenced empiric support for the self-determination's continuum use in the understanding of the way students intrinsically regulate their behavior in this context. Some lines of intervention are suggested considering the obtained results.
intrinsic motivation; self-determination; physical education; sports psychology
