Psychological skills training on mental toughness and soccer players skills

Abstract

Psychological skills training (PST) is referred to the systematic and consistent practice of psychological abilities. PST is a procedure that involves the development of daily routine activities and abilities in sport and exercise environments. The purpose of this study was to determine how mental toughness and soccer skills were affected by psychological skill development. Comparing mental toughness and soccer skills before and after PST was the second research goal. The objective was to compare mental toughness and soccer abilities between groups pre and post-tests. Regarding mental toughness and soccer skills, three phases of psychological skill training including education, acquisition, and practice were carried out across six weeks period. Twenty-two female soccer players were equally split into experimental and control groups, aged ranged between 19 – 22 years old voluntarily engaged in the study. Mental Toughness Inventory (MTI), Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT) and Loughborough Soccer Shooting Test (LSST) were administered before and after intervention. The analysis revealed the comparison between pre and post intervention. The results of further analysis using paired sample t-test and independent sample t-test were examined. The experimental group greatly increased their mental toughness and soccer skills throughout the psychological skills training. Contrarily, the control group exhibited no significant difference between the pre- and post-test. Shot speed, nevertheless, unveiled no effect in either the control or experimental groups. In light of suggestions, psychological skills training in physical fitness session should be added to improve physical fitness for shot speed and carry out research on the mental toughness and soccer skills of female soccer players at varying levels of involvement such as elite junior and senior level

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