MOTIVAÇÃO PARA A PRÁTICA DE BEACH TENNIS EM ADULTOS

Abstract

Although it originated in coastal regions, Beach Tennis has spread to different urban centers, attracting fans of all ages and profiles. The sport, which combines elements of tennis, volleyball and badminton, offers both physical and social benefits, which contributes to its growth and expansion in places far from the beaches, such as Campo Grande. The objective of this study is to analyze the motivations that lead individuals to play Beach Tennis, considering factors such as health, fun, competence, appearance and socialization. The method used was the application of an online questionnaire based on the Motives for Physical Activities Measure – Revised (MPAM-R) scale, applying a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional approach. The research also included the collection of sociodemographic data and the results were analyzed according to variables such as gender, age, skill level and form of practice of the sport. The results indicated that the Fun and Health factors are the greatest motivations for practicing physical activities, regardless of gender, race/color, age group, form of practice or skill level, while the Appearance and Social factors present the lowest motivation averages in most of the groups analyzed. In addition, advanced practitioners tend to have the highest overall motivation rates. Thus, it was possible to conclude that, among the population studied, Beach Tennis is mainly motivated by the search for Fun and Health, reflecting the practitioners' focus on pleasure and physical and mental well-being. However, the Appearance and Social factors are less motivating, indicating the need for strategies to promote greater social interaction and inclusion in the sport, especially for less motivated groups, such as women, black and brown people, and practitioners over 40 years of age. In addition, the text highlights that the engagement of advanced practitioners is related to technical development and competitive opportunities, reinforcing the importance of programs that integrate beginners and intermediate practitioners, as well as actions that overcome economic barriers and promote more inclusive environments.