Those who participate in sport due to feelings of having to play are described as?

Individuals who participate in a sport due to feelings of obligation or pressure, rather than personal enjoyment or desire, are best described as experiencing introjected regulation. This concept comes from self-determination theory, which categorizes motivation on a continuum ranging from intrinsic to extrinsic.

Introjected regulation implies that the motivation to participate comes from internalized pressures, such as guilt, fear of letting others down, or a sense of obligation. This type of motivation is not fully self-determined because it involves an internal compulsion rather than a genuine interest in the activity itself.

By contrast, extrinsically motivated individuals might engage in a sport for external rewards, such as trophies, money, or recognition. Amotivated individuals lack any motivation to engage in the sport. Thus, introjected regulation accurately captures the nuance of feeling compelled to participate out of a sense of duty.