What is defined as an individual's beliefs that determine how well they can achieve a desired result?

Self-efficacy refers to an individual's beliefs in their own ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. This concept is crucial in the context of sports nutrition and coaching because it greatly influences how individuals approach their goals, manage challenges, and maintain perseverance in the face of setbacks. When a person has high self-efficacy, they are more likely to set challenging goals, commit to achieving them, and put in sustained effort over time. This belief directly impacts their performance and likelihood of attaining desired outcomes.

In contrast, self-esteem pertains to a general sense of self-worth and confidence in one's overall value, rather than performance in specific tasks. Motivation, while related, focuses on the drive to take action towards goals, which may not necessarily correlate directly with the belief in one’s ability to achieve those goals. Competence involves the skills and abilities that a person possesses, but it does not inherently include the belief in those skills. Therefore, self-efficacy distinctly captures the essence of one’s belief in their capacity to achieve a particular result, making it the correct choice for this question.