Résumé
Although persons with spinal cord injuries might have good reasons to exercise (Fernhall et al., 2008; Martin Ginis et al., 2008), they are reluctant to practice physical activities (O’Neill & Maguire, 2004). According to achievement goal theorists (Elliot, 2005), mastery-avoidance goals might be associated with maladaptive motivational patterns for persons faced with the evidence of their loss of ability. Moreover, low levels of self-perceptions are detrimental to individuals' achievement motivation (Harter & Connell, 1989). This study tested whether persons with Recent Spinal Cord Injury (RSCI) who practice Adapted Physical Activities (APA)—i.e., activities such as wheelchair basketball, wheelchair table tennis, wheelchair archery, etc., that are adapted to the inpatients’ capabilities—and those who do not differ with regard to achievement goals, physical self-perceptions, and global self-esteem. Eighteen adults (13 males, 5 females; 36.0 ± 16.1 years), who became paraplegic or tetraplegic due to RSCI, completed Elliot and McGregor’s (2001) 2 × 2 achievement goal questionnaire and Fox and Corbin’s (1989) physical self-perception profile. Then, based on whether they engaged or not in APA programs, they were considered participants (n = 10) or non-participants (n = 8) in APA. Compared to participants, non-participants were significantly more oriented toward mastery-avoidance goals and had lower scores of physical self-worth and global self-esteem. No differences were found for other achievement goals and for low-level dimensions of physical self. These findings suggest that mastery-avoidance goals are associated with a maladaptive motivational pattern when intrapersonal comparison (pre- vs. post-trauma) conveys a threat for the self, whereas performance goals are not associated with maladaptive motivational patterns. Practical implications to be further tested might be that upon persons with RSCI’s arrival in rehabilitation centers, physical educators might promote a friendly competitive climate in the practice of APA to help inpatients recover self-esteem as well as motivation to exercise.