Citation

Radcliffe JN, Comfort P, Fawcett T. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2013; 27(4): 1136-1146.

Affiliation

Directorate of Sport, Exercise, and Physiotherapy. The University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, National Strength and Conditioning Association)

DOI

10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182606ddc

PMID

22706577

Abstract

The study aimed to firstly examine the frequency of the psychological skills and strategies of Strength and Conditioning practitioners and secondly distinguish between demographic differences in relation to psychological skills and strategy use. The Strength and Conditioning Sport Psychology Questionnaire was developed to measure the frequency of use of 11 subscales. These consisted of goal setting, imagery, self-talk, mental toughness, attention control, relaxation, stress management, adherence, activation, self-confidence and ego management. Each subscale demonstrated acceptable internal validity ale (mean inter-item correlations ranged 0.227 - 0.427). The instrument allowed up to 5 open ended responses concerning skills considered most important to strength and conditioning practice and up to 5 psychological attributes considered detrimental within strength and conditioning. 102 participants met the inclusion criteria (90 men and 12 women. Age 34.7 ± 9.7 yrs. Experience 7.4 ± 5.2 yrs. Part time 36.5%, Full time 63.5%. The respondents were registered with the following organizations: UKSCA: 41, NSCA: 48 and ASCA: 48). Goal setting was found to be the most frequently used skill with mental imagery the least used with significant differences identified in the frequency of skill use. The strategies deemed to be most important were motivation and confidence with the most debilitating factors identified as a lack of motivation and a lack of confidence. When comparing demographics, overall skill use varied between practitioners with different experience with more experienced practitioners having greater skill use, both overall and particular individual skills. Participants accredited by the ASCA had a greater psychological skill use than those accredited by other bodies.

Language: en