Motivational Training Program for Pre-service Physical Education Teachers

Study Protocol of a Non-randomized Controlled Trial on a Circumplex Model-based Motivational Training Program for Pre-service Physical Education Teachers

This study presents the protocol for a non-randomized controlled trial evaluating a motivational-based training program for pre-service Physical Education teachers. The experimental group will participate in a 14-hour training program based on Self-Determination Theory and the circumplex model. The program consists of theoretical and practical training to foster motivating teaching styles and minimize demotivating ones. The control group will follow the standard curriculum of the Master's in Physical Education Teacher Education program without exposure to the specific intervention.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Motivation; Competence; Teaching Styles; Pre-service Teachers
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Motivational Training Program

Detailed Description

Physical Education Teacher Education is crucial, as it directly influences how pre-service Physical Education teachers will teach, motivate, and engage their future students. However, training programs that foster motivating teaching styles while minimizing demotivating ones remain scarce, particularly during initial teacher education. This study presents the protocol for a non-randomized controlled trial evaluating a motivational-based training program for pre-service Physical Education teachers, grounded in Self-Determination Theory and the circumplex model. The program, embedded in a Master's in Physical Education Teacher Education, consists of theoretical and practical training to foster motivating teaching styles and minimize demotivating ones. The study will involve at least 38 pre-service teachers, divided into an experimental group (n = 19) and a control group (n = 19). The experimental group will participate in a 14-hour training program combining theoretical and practical components. The control group will follow the standard Physical Education Teacher Education curriculum. A quasi-experimental pre-post design with a mixed-methods approach will be used. Quantitative assessments will measure changes in perceived competence, motivation for teaching, and (de)motivating teaching styles, while qualitative focus groups will provide in-depth insights into participants' experiences and program applicability. To ensure objectivity, independent researchers will conduct assessments, and external experts will moderate the focus groups. Findings will contribute empirical evidence on the effectiveness of Self-Determination Theory-based interventions in initial teacher education, informing curriculum development and supporting the advancement of evidence-based pedagogical training in Physical Education.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 38
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Carlos Mayo Rota; Phone Number: +34655375050; Email: cmayo@unizar.es

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Aragón
    • Huesca, Aragón, Spain, 22003
      • Recruiting
      • Facultad de Ciencias Humanas y de la Educación
      • Contact: Carlos Mayo Rota; Phone Number: +34665375050; Email: cmayo@unizar.es

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Enrollment in the Master's in Physical Education Teacher Education at the University of Zaragoza.
• 100% attendance in training sessions (experimental group).
• Completion of questionnaires at three time points (pre-test, intermediate, and post-test).
• Participation in the final focus group discussion.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Failure to complete required assessments.
• Lack of attendance in mandatory sessions.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental group; The experimental group will participate in a 14-hour training program combining theoretical and practical components of Self-Determination Theory and the circumplex model.	Behavioral: Motivational Training Program; This study presents the protocol for a non-randomized controlled trial evaluating a motivational-based training program for pre-service Physical Education teachers, grounded in Self-Determination Theory and the circumplex model. The program, embedded in a Master's in Physical Education Teacher Education, consists of theoretical and practical training to foster motivating teaching styles and minimize demotivating ones. The study will involve at least 38 pre-service teachers, divided into an experimental group (n = 19) and a control group (n = 19). The experimental group will participate in a 14-hour training program combining theoretical and practical components. The control group will follow the standard Physical Education Teacher Education curriculum.
No Intervention: Control group; The control group will follow the standard Physical Education Teacher Education curriculum

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
(De)motivating teaching styles	Changes in (de)motivating teaching styles (Measured using SIS-PE)	At baseline (Week 0), 4 weeks after baseline, and 8 months after baseline.
Teaching competence	Changes in perceived teaching competence (Measured using BPNSFS).	At baseline (Week 0), 4 weeks after baseline, and 8 months after baseline.
Motivation to teach	Changes in motivation to teach (Measured using EME-ES).	At baseline (Week 0), 4 weeks after baseline, and 8 months after baseline.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Quality of the training program	Perceived quality of the training program (Program evaluation questionnaire and final focus group).	4 weeks after baseline, and 8 months after baseline.
Applicability of the training program	Perceived applicability of the training program (Program evaluation questionnaire and final focus group).	4 weeks after baseline, and 8 months after baseline.
Strengths and weaknesses of the training program	Qualitative insights on the impact of the training (Final focus group discussion)	8 months after baseline.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Universidad de Zaragoza

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 21, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 4, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): April 11, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 11, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 4, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Self-Determination Theory; quasi-experimental study; (de)motivating teaching styles; physical education teacher education; mixed-methods research
• Other Study ID Numbers: PROYS01_24

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No