Boosting Self‑Worth Through Football: How Motivation Changed Lives

The EuroFIT program was designed to help men who love football and carry extra weight feel better mentally. The plan used ideas from Self‑Determination Theory, which says people thrive when they feel competent, connected, and in control. After the program finished, researchers checked if changes in how participants thought about their actions—specifically whether they felt more driven or less indifferent—were linked to better self‑esteem, overall well‑being, and energy after one year. The study followed a group of fans over 12 months. It found that those who reported stronger internal motivation—doing things because they enjoy them or see personal value—had higher self‑confidence and reported feeling more alive. Those who felt less amotivation, meaning they were not just drifting or uninterested, also showed improvements.

Researchers used mediation analysis to see if motivation was the bridge between the program and mental health gains. They discovered that shifts in motivation did explain a significant portion of the positive outcomes, suggesting the program worked partly by changing how participants viewed their own actions. These results hint that sports‑based interventions can do more than burn calories; they can reshape inner attitudes, leading to lasting mental benefits. The findings encourage future programs to focus on fostering autonomous motivation and reducing indifference for the best long‑term impact.

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