EMOTION IN SPORT AND PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY - THE IMPORTANCE OF PERCEIVED INDIVIDUAL GOALS

Despite recent theoretical and empirical advances, our knowledge of th e antecedents and consequences of emotion in physical activity is limi ted. This paper advocates the advantages of theory driven research to advance our understanding. To this end, we review two cognitive theori es which advocate that the setting and evaluation of progress towards or fulfilment of conscious goals generates emotions. Carver's and Sche ier's (1990) control theory of affect and Locke and Latham's (1990) th eory of goal setting are examined for applicability to thephysical act ivity domain. Pertinent issues in affect generation such as the role o f goal structure, goal importance, goal fulfilment, and perceptions of progress are examined. An attempt is made to integrate existing physi cal activity literature as well as highlight the complementarity of th e two theories.