Mental preparation in runners: gender differences, competition levels, and psychological training effects on performance
IntroductionThe present study aimed to investigate the mental and sports psychological preparation, as well as tactical preparation, of distance runners for competition. We examined whether there are differences based on gender, competition level and various race disciplines, as well as how mental p...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1456504/full |
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| author | Bence Kelemen Renátó Tóth Ottó Benczenleitner László Tóth László Tóth |
| author_facet | Bence Kelemen Renátó Tóth Ottó Benczenleitner László Tóth László Tóth |
| author_sort | Bence Kelemen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThe present study aimed to investigate the mental and sports psychological preparation, as well as tactical preparation, of distance runners for competition. We examined whether there are differences based on gender, competition level and various race disciplines, as well as how mental preparation influences sports skills applicable in different competitive situations.MethodsThe sample consisted of 201 distance runners who completed the Sports Mental Training Questionnaire (SMTQ) alongside assessments of their sports psychology and race tactics.ResultsThe results indicated that neither gender, competition level, nor race discipline had a significant impact on mental preparedness. However, women demonstrated notably higher scores in the use of self-talk as a mental technique. Additionally, participants who received training in sports psychology scored significantly higher across several mental skills, as well as on the overall mental preparedness score.DiscussionThis article validates the SMTQ and its association with mental readiness, as confirmatory factor analysis demonstrates adequate validity. Additionally, mental preparation was found to enhance performance and well-being among distance runners. Further research is needed to explore the impact of group interventions to broaden the reach of mental training programs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e5dc303a30d34fbbb7a387d8030c547e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2624-9367 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| spelling | doaj-art-e5dc303a30d34fbbb7a387d8030c547e2024-11-15T04:40:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672024-11-01610.3389/fspor.2024.14565041456504Mental preparation in runners: gender differences, competition levels, and psychological training effects on performanceBence Kelemen0Renátó Tóth1Ottó Benczenleitner2László Tóth3László Tóth4School of Doctoral Studies, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, HungarySchool of Doctoral Studies, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, HungaryInstitute of Sports Sciences, Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Eger, HungaryDepartment of Psychology and Sport Psychology, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, HungaryTeacher Training Institute, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, HungaryIntroductionThe present study aimed to investigate the mental and sports psychological preparation, as well as tactical preparation, of distance runners for competition. We examined whether there are differences based on gender, competition level and various race disciplines, as well as how mental preparation influences sports skills applicable in different competitive situations.MethodsThe sample consisted of 201 distance runners who completed the Sports Mental Training Questionnaire (SMTQ) alongside assessments of their sports psychology and race tactics.ResultsThe results indicated that neither gender, competition level, nor race discipline had a significant impact on mental preparedness. However, women demonstrated notably higher scores in the use of self-talk as a mental technique. Additionally, participants who received training in sports psychology scored significantly higher across several mental skills, as well as on the overall mental preparedness score.DiscussionThis article validates the SMTQ and its association with mental readiness, as confirmatory factor analysis demonstrates adequate validity. Additionally, mental preparation was found to enhance performance and well-being among distance runners. Further research is needed to explore the impact of group interventions to broaden the reach of mental training programs.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1456504/fulldistance runningsport psychologymental trainingmental skillsrace tactics |
| spellingShingle | Bence Kelemen Renátó Tóth Ottó Benczenleitner László Tóth László Tóth Mental preparation in runners: gender differences, competition levels, and psychological training effects on performance Frontiers in Sports and Active Living distance running sport psychology mental training mental skills race tactics |
| title | Mental preparation in runners: gender differences, competition levels, and psychological training effects on performance |
| title_full | Mental preparation in runners: gender differences, competition levels, and psychological training effects on performance |
| title_fullStr | Mental preparation in runners: gender differences, competition levels, and psychological training effects on performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mental preparation in runners: gender differences, competition levels, and psychological training effects on performance |
| title_short | Mental preparation in runners: gender differences, competition levels, and psychological training effects on performance |
| title_sort | mental preparation in runners gender differences competition levels and psychological training effects on performance |
| topic | distance running sport psychology mental training mental skills race tactics |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1456504/full |
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