scholarly journals Comparison of Mental Skills of Elite and Non-Elite Athletes

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4a) ◽  
pp. 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sertaç Erciş

The main purpose of this reseach was to compare mental skills of elite and non-elite boys team athletes by Ottawa Questionnare. The reseach study was a descriptive-applied one. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire based on Ottawa questionnare that measured some mental skills factors. The subjects were 40 elite athletes and 40 non-elite athletes that they were randomaly taken up of basketball, volleyball, handball and futsall sport tournaments. T independent test was applied in order to analyze the related data to compare the results at p<0.05 level. The results indicated that the rate of Goal setting, self-confidence, Commitment, Stress reactions, Relaxation, Fear control, Activation, Focusing, Imagery, Competion planning, Mental practice and Refocusing skills is higher in elite athletic boy students in compare to non-elite ones.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shima Babakhanian ◽  
Mohammad Hani Mansori ◽  
Mohammad Karimizadeh Ardakani ◽  
Homa Naderifar

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to compare the psychological parameters in Coper individuals and people with chronic ankle instability (CAI).Methods: This study was a cross-sectional and comparative study. Sixty elite athletes, from multiple athletic disciplines, who have suffered from lateral ankle sprains at least once in the last two years, were selected as research subjects and were divided into two groups: Copers (n = 30) and CAI (n = 30). Classification of CAI, and coper groups were done by AJFAT, CAIT and FAAM self-report questionnaires. Athletes' psychological characteristics were measured using the Ottawa Mental Skills Assessment Tool (OMSAT-3). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and independent t-test were used to evaluate the differences between groups at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results showed there was a significant difference between the two groups in Goal setting, Self-confidence, Commitment, Relaxation, Fear control and Coping with stress, Focusing, Refocusing, and Mental practice (P <0.05). And Coper athletes scored higher than ankle instability athletes. But there were no significant differences between the two groups in the following parameters: Inactivation, Imagery, and Competition planning skills (P <0.05).Conclusion: The findings showed that athletes with CAI scored lower than Coper athletes on psychological exams. Given the importance of prioritizing the mental components of goal setting, imagery, relaxation, activation, and self-confidence, the design of the competition should be a priority for rehabilitation. Therefore, coaches and sports experts are recommended to focus and improve mental skills in athletes who suffer from sports injuries, to reduce the occurrence of repetitive sports injuries.


1998 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 346-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie J. Hanrahan

This paper presents general considerations for working with athletes with disabilities and the usefulness and possible modification of specific mental skills for those athletes. Common concerns for athletes with specific disabilities are discussed. Specific disabilities are considered under the headings of amputees, blind and visually impaired, cerebral palsy, deaf and hearing impaired, intellectual disabilities, and wheelchair. Arousal control, goal setting, attention/concentration, body awareness, imagery, self-confidence, and precompetition preparation are discussed in terms of disability-specific issues as well as suggestions for application.


Author(s):  
Alma Thomas

Mental skills are integral to success in practice and performance. Prominent educators in sport and in the performing arts have advocated their use for years. This chapter provides voice educators and singers with illustrative mental skills that are based on recent research, supplies further background on mental training, and provides examples of key concepts. Teachers, coaches and singers are encouraged to apply the exercises presented and, if necessary, adapt them through experimentation to meet individual needs. Mental skills require regular practice and commitment, and should be an integral part of all teaching and learning. The literature in sport, and more recently in music education and performance, is full of the benefits of using mental skills, and full of ways in which mental skills guide and enhance performances at all levels. The key mental skills covered in this chapter are commitment and motivation, goal-setting, managing anxiety, relaxation, imagery, and developing self-confidence.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-270
Author(s):  
S. McGinn ◽  
D. Alcock ◽  
L.J. Cameron

High self-confidence or sport-confidence has been defined as a key psychological characteristic required by elite athletes, promoting optimal performance and helping manage competitive anxiety. Investigations have demonstrated that a mix of psychological interventions such as self-talk, goal setting, imagery, pre-performance routines and relaxation techniques are used by elite athletes as coping strategies. To date, most of this research has been carried out on collegiate athletes across a variety of sports but with limited research attention on equestrian sports. This study, using semi-structured interviews, explored five professional event riders’ experiences of psychological interventions used leading up to and during elite level international competition. Thematic analysis identified two meta-themes; Planning and Preparation, Arousal and Distraction Management. The riders outlined the importance of goal-setting, managing time and pre-performance routines as part of planning and preparation. They discussed the use of interventions such as self-talk and imagery in managing arousal levels with support teams playing a key role in distraction management. The findings from this study support previous research, suggesting that these riders have similar approaches to other non-equestrian athletes in their use of a combination of coping strategies to manage competition anxiety and build self-confidence.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-181
Author(s):  
Michal Vičar ◽  
Hana Hřebíčková

The Ottawa Mental Skills Assessment Tool, OMSAT-3*, (Durand-Bush, N., Salmela, J. H., & GreenDemers, I., 2001) is a dialogic tool used all around the world to assess the quality of mental skills of both professional and amateur athletes. This article deals with translation and formation of a Czech version. It analyses the findings related to sports talent with an emphasis on sports talent identification and mental skills. OMSAT-3* is comprised of forty-eight questions. The questionnaire focuses on twelve psychological characteristics of mental skills divided into three groups – Foundation skills (self-confidence, commitment and goal-setting), Psychosomatic skills (stress control, fear control, relaxation and activation) and Cognitive skills (focusing, refocusing, imagery, mental practise and competition planning). The Czech version of the questionnaire was administrated to athletes (n-254) aged between 11 and 42 years from 26 sport disciplines of various performance levels. The scales reliability was verified in goal-setting, self-confidence, commitment, activation, focusing, competition planning and mental practise, with population more experienced in sport also in stress control. The remaining dimensions (relaxation, fear control, imagery and refocusing) show too low internal consistency. Neither the validity of the Czech version of the questionnaire nor its factor structure were therefore confirmed. Based on an analysis of the translation deficiencies, a new Czech version of the OMSAT-3* questionnaire was created.


2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie J. Hanrahan

A group of students from the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts participated in a mental skills training program that focused on goal setting, self-confidence development, and team building. There were 13 two-hour sessions held over a 20-week period. The participants, cultural issues, and the basic structure of the program are described. The author’s observations regarding competition, displays of affection, collective values, and the importance of family and nature are provided. The participants qualitatively evaluated the program. Conclusions related to group process, program structure, and diversity are presented. These conclusions should be of value in terms of shaping future group mental skills training programs.


2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng-Lin Tsai ◽  
Shih-Chung Cheng ◽  
Yu-Kai Chang ◽  
Chun-Chih Wang
Keyword(s):  

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey J. Martin ◽  
Laurie A. Malone

Although sport psychologists have started to examine elite disability sport, studies of comprehensive mental skill use are rare. In the current study, we examined multidimensional imagery and self-talk, as well as comprehensive mental skills (i.e., coping with adversity, goal setting, concentration, peaking under pressure, being coachable, confident, and feeling free from worry). In addition to descriptive data, we also were interested in the ability of athlete’s mental skills to predict engagement (e.g., being dedicated). Fourteen elite level wheelchair rugby players from the United States participated, and results indicated that athletes employed most mental skills. We accounted for 50% of the variance in engagement with comprehensive mental skills (β = .72, p = .03) contributing the most to the regression equation, while imagery (β = -.02, p = .94) and self-talk (β = -.00, p = .99) were not significant. Athletes who reported using a host of mental skills (e.g., coping with adversity) also reported being engaged (e.g., dedicated, enthused, committed) to wheelchair rugby. Athletes reporting minimal mental skill use were less engaged.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 58-75
Author(s):  
K.A. Bochaver ◽  
L.M. Dovzhik ◽  
D.V. Bondarev ◽  
A.O. Savinkina

The aim of the study was to assess associations between dimensions of mental skills, psychological readiness and predictors of career longevity among current athletes. Mental skills dimensions were measured with the Ottawa Mental Skills Assessment Tool (OMSAT). The psychological predictors of athletic career longevity were measured with the Athletic Coping Skills Scale-28 (the ACSI-28) producing scores for seven coping skills and with the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) which produced scores for confidence in competition. Overall, 253 current athletes (average age 22 years) of various competitive levels (classified to 5 groups according to the national sport classification system) participated in the study. The results showed that coping skills and confidence in competition positively associated with various range of mental skills dimensions. The competitive level was related to stress reactions, fear control, focusing, refocusing and imagery coping skills. The results suggest that some mental skills may came with experience, while the development of other mental skills may require interventions to reduce the likelihood of early termination of the professional career and achieve career longevity. The results also discussed in terms of a holistic perception of sports psychology and focuses not only on performance, but also on the well-being and sustainable development of the athletes.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document