摘要：The aim of study was to identify motives that lead young athletes to participate basketball and handball modalities, besides the variables: gender, age and training time. Three hundred and sixty-five young athletes (216 girls and 149 boys, age 13 years ± 0.8) were evaluated using Participation Motivation Questionnaire. The main sport participation motive cited by athletes was Technical Competence (4.38 ± 0.09). Following the main sport participation motive mentioned, Physical Fitness (4.07 ± 0.83) and Group Activity (4.02 ± 0.78) were the motives most pointed out by female athletes, regardless of the training time. For male athletes, motives related to Competition (4.34 ± 0.78) and Group Activity (4.17 ± 0.74) were indicated in a significantly lower position in relation to motive related to Technical Competence (4.51 ± 0.51). Young athletes gave more importance to aspects equivalent to improvement of technical skills, learn new skills and move to a high level.
