Abstract
The research was focused on finding out what stimuli led to the start of athletic training (track and field) and which reasons were key to regular participation in athletic training. The monitored years were 2008 and 2020. The respondents were children (ages 8-14) of athletic clubs from various regions of the Czech Republic. The research was carried out using the questionnaire method.
In terms of the incentive to start attending athletic training, we can say that children in both stages began to practice athletics on the initiative of parents (in 2008 it was 48%; in 2020 54%). In terms of the reasons that led children to regularly participate in athletic training, 31% (2008) and 29% (2020) of children stated that the main motive for regular participation in athletic training is the flow of movement. The personality of the coach and the level of his training was chosen by 23% (2008) and 18% (2020) of the childrenʼs respondents.
In terms of forming a relationship with athletics through patterns, we must state that patterns can have a significant effect. The "star" thus plays an important role in shaping the relationship to athletics. In our survey in 2008, Roman Šebrle was considered a model (49%). In 2020, however, this was not an unequivocal statement, with the largest percentage Pavel Maslák (21%). In conclusion, it should be noted that in addition to important athletes, the coach was a role model for pupils (in 2008 it was 17%; in 2020 also 17%).