How does goal setting improve and motivate sporting performance?
The use of goal setting to improve and optimise performance, the SMART principle, and the difference between performance and outcome goals.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE PE on goal setting: why goals are set, the SMART principle, the difference between performance and outcome goals, and how goal setting motivates and improves performance.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
AQA wants you to explain why goals are set, apply the SMART principle to set effective targets, and distinguish performance goals from outcome goals.
Why we set goals
The SMART principle
A goal such as "get fitter" is poor because it is vague. A SMART version would be "run 5 km in under 25 minutes within eight weeks", which is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.
Each letter does a distinct job, and exam answers should explain the effect, not just expand the acronym. Specific focuses effort on one clear target, so the performer knows exactly what to work on. Measurable lets progress be checked with a number, which feeds back into motivation as the performer sees themselves improving. Achievable and Realistic keep the goal within reach given the performer's current level and resources, because a goal that is too hard causes the performer to give up, while one that is too easy fails to stretch them. Time-bound sets a deadline, which creates urgency and a point at which success can be judged and the next goal set. Setting the difficulty correctly is the most important part: research on goal setting shows that moderately challenging but attainable goals produce the greatest improvement, because they demand effort while still being reachable.
Performance goals and outcome goals
The reason performance goals work better for most learners comes down to control and feedback. Because a performance goal is measured against your own previous standard, you can succeed even on a day you lose, as long as you improved your own mark. This keeps motivation and confidence high and reduces anxiety, because a single strong opponent cannot wipe out your achievement. Outcome goals still have a place for experienced, confident performers who thrive on competition, but for a beginner they can be demoralising: losing repeatedly to better opponents, despite genuine improvement, makes the beginner feel they are failing and they may give up. Good coaches therefore set a ladder of short-term performance goals that build towards a longer-term outcome goal, so the performer gets regular successes along the way. This links to the SMART principle, because each rung of the ladder is itself specific, measurable and time-bound.
Worked example
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 20183 marksA coach sets a netball player the goal of improving. Rewrite this as a SMART goal and justify two of the SMART elements you have used.Show worked answer →
A Paper 2 application item rewarding a usable SMART goal plus justification.
Award a mark for a specific, measurable, time-bound target, for example "increase shooting accuracy from 6 out of 10 to 8 out of 10 within four weeks", then a mark each for justifying two elements: it is measurable because the success rate is counted, and time-bound because of the four-week deadline.
Markers want a genuine improvement on "improve", with the chosen elements clearly explained, not just the SMART letters listed.
AQA 20214 marksExplain the difference between a performance goal and an outcome goal, and discuss why performance goals are often better for a beginner's motivation.Show worked answer →
An AO2 question testing the two goal types applied to a beginner.
Award marks for: a performance goal is measured against the performer's own previous standard (improving a personal time), within their control; an outcome goal is about the result against others (winning), depending on opponents.
For the discussion marks, explain that a beginner who loses can still meet a performance goal, so they stay motivated and confident, whereas repeatedly failing an outcome goal against stronger rivals would demotivate them.
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Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE Physical Education (8582) specification — AQA (2016)