The aim of the study was to detect the motivational profiles of high school students of Physical Education (PE) according to the teacher's discipline strategies and to analyze the relationships between the clusters and the motivational atmosphere, goal guidelines and satisfaction with lessons. A sample of 2002 students (970 male students and 1032 female students) was used. The instruments used were the Spanish versions of the scales: Strategies to Sustain Discipline Scale, Learning and Performance Orientations in Physical Education Classes Questionnaire, Perception of Success Questionnaire and Sport Satisfaction Instrument. A cluster analysis was applied revealing three motivational profiles, one of them with emphasis on self-determined strategies to maintain discipline in class and the other two profiles with emphasis on non-self- determined-strategies. Profiles were determined according to the number of hours of exercise practiced in a week. The self-determined strategies cluster consists mainly of women, and the non- self-determined clusters were composed of men. In the self-determined strategies cluster, we can find the largest number of students who practice two or more hours of physical exercise per week in their free time. To improve the classroom environment and reduce indiscipline behaviors, the teacher should use discipline strategies founded on intrinsic reasons for concern and responsibility.
Cluster; secondary education; gender; sports
