About 70% of youth athletes drop out of sport by age 13. Self-determination theory has been utilised to investigate athletes’ motivations for behaviours including sport persistence (i.e. continuation) and suggests that the coach can be an influence on such motivations. Basic need fulfillment via interpersonal coaching behaviours, the coach-athlete relationship (CAR), and intentions to continue sport participation have been examined independently and in various combinations and directions, but these variables have not been examined collectively in this manner. The purpose of this study was to determine if CAR quality mediates the relationship between interpersonal coaching behaviours and intentions to continue sport participation. Surveys were administered to 148 athletes ages 11 to 16 from organised sports teams. No significant indirect effects of mediation could be established. However, there was a significant and direct effect of competence-supportive behaviours on intentions (β = .341, p < .001). Overall, the total effects model was significant (F(1,146) = 18.762, p < .001, adjusted R² = .114). Significant positive relationships were shown among supportive coach behaviours and CAR quality in addition to CAR quality and intentions. Negative relationships were demonstrated among thwarting coach behaviours and CAR quality. Results support that coaches’ competence-supportive behaviours can positively impact CAR quality and intentions to continue sport participation in youth athletes.

大约70％的青年运动员在13岁之前辍学。自决理论已被用来调查运动员的行为动机，包括运动持久性（即持续性），并表明教练可能会影响这种动机。通过人际交往行为，教练与运动员的关系（CAR）以及继续运动参与的意图来满足基本需求，这些都是独立进行的，并以各种组合和方向进行了研究，但是这些变量并未通过这种方式进行集体研究。这项研究的目的是确定汽车质量是否介导人际教练行为与继续运动参与的意图之间的关系。对来自有组织运动队的148位11至16岁的运动员进行了调查。无法确定调解的重大间接影响。但是，能力支持行为对意图有重大而直接的影响（β  = .341，p  <.001）。总的来说，总效应模型很显着（F（1,146）= 18.762，p  <.001，调整后的R ²  = .114）。除汽车质量和意图外，在支持教练的行为和汽车质量之间还显示出显着的正相关。挫败的教练行为与汽车质量之间显示出负相关关系。结果表明，教练的能力支持行为可以对汽车质量和青年运动员继续参加体育运动的意愿产生积极影响。