Limits of Sports Ethics and Sports Competition: The Matter of Sports Humanity

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Fengjun Shan

Department of Physical Education, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou, China

Citation

Shan, F. (2023). Limits of Sports Ethics and Sports Competition: The Matter of Sports Humanity. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 54(2), 91-108. doi:10.7352/IJSP.2023.54.091

Abstract

This study is devoted to the analysis of changes in the moral competence of young athletes aged 18-26 immediately before and after a significant competition for them. It involved a total of 128 participants (66 males and 62 females) from different regions of China representing various summer Olympic sports. Moral competence and moral developmental stage were investigated using the Moral Competence Test administered three times: in a neutral setting, before the significant competition, and one week af- ter the competition. The collected data unveiled that the level of moral competence of young athletes under 26 changes statistically significantly as a result of the pressure of competitive stress. More precisely, a temporary reduction in the level of moral com- petence and a possible lowering of the stage of moral reasoning, followed by a partial recovery for at least a week, were noted.

Keywords: Competition Psychology; Moral Competence; moral development; moral reasoning; sports ethics

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