Psychological characteristics, sport engagement, and performance in alpine skiers. (March 2020)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Psychological characteristics, sport engagement, and performance in alpine skiers. (March 2020)
- Main Title:
- Psychological characteristics, sport engagement, and performance in alpine skiers
- Authors:
- Fawver, B.
Cowan, R.L.
DeCouto, B.S.
Lohse, K.R.
Podlog, L.
Williams, A.M. - Abstract:
- Abstract: Previously, investigators have sought to clarify the role of psychological factors in the development of expertise across numerous sport domains; however, almost no empirical work exists on winter sport athletes. Using a retrospective design, we examined associations between psychological traits, engagement in practice-related activities, and performance among sub-elite level, youth alpine skiers. A total of 169 skiers (88 women) enrolled at professional development academies in the United States completed a battery of questionnaires assessing practice history profiles and performance milestones, as well as various psychological factors (e.g., mental toughness, grit, perfectionism). Performance was assessed using national ranking across both speed and technical disciplines. In addition to linear models and MANOVA/MANCOVA tests, linear mixed-effect regressions were utilized to assess relationships between psychological factors, practice hours, and ranking over time. Higher scores on perfectionistic strivings (personal standards) were associated with improved performance. Also, grit was associated with increased engagement in individual practice hours. Coach-led one-on-one practice hours were associated with increased perfectionistic concerns (e.g., parental pressure), while indirect exposure (e.g., attending events without competing) was associated with decreased mental toughness. Findings highlight potentially important associations between athletes' dispositionalAbstract: Previously, investigators have sought to clarify the role of psychological factors in the development of expertise across numerous sport domains; however, almost no empirical work exists on winter sport athletes. Using a retrospective design, we examined associations between psychological traits, engagement in practice-related activities, and performance among sub-elite level, youth alpine skiers. A total of 169 skiers (88 women) enrolled at professional development academies in the United States completed a battery of questionnaires assessing practice history profiles and performance milestones, as well as various psychological factors (e.g., mental toughness, grit, perfectionism). Performance was assessed using national ranking across both speed and technical disciplines. In addition to linear models and MANOVA/MANCOVA tests, linear mixed-effect regressions were utilized to assess relationships between psychological factors, practice hours, and ranking over time. Higher scores on perfectionistic strivings (personal standards) were associated with improved performance. Also, grit was associated with increased engagement in individual practice hours. Coach-led one-on-one practice hours were associated with increased perfectionistic concerns (e.g., parental pressure), while indirect exposure (e.g., attending events without competing) was associated with decreased mental toughness. Findings highlight potentially important associations between athletes' dispositional characteristics, prolonged ski engagement, and performance trajectory. Highlights: Grittier skiers showed greater engagement in individual practice. Personal standards and coach pressure associated with better rank. One-on-one practice associated with greater parental pressure. Competition hours negatively associated with confidence. … (more)
- Is Part Of:
- Psychology of sport and exercise. Volume 47(2020)
- Journal:
- Psychology of sport and exercise
- Issue:
- Volume 47(2020)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 47, Issue 2020 (2020)
- Year:
- 2020
- Volume:
- 47
- Issue:
- 2020
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2020-0047-2020-0000
- Page Start:
- Page End:
- Publication Date:
- 2020-03
- Subjects:
- Grit -- Mental toughness -- Perfectionism -- Practice -- Ranking
Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals
Exercise -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals
Psychology -- Periodicals
Sports -- Periodicals
Exercise -- Periodicals
Societies, Medical -- Periodicals
Psychology
Sports
Exercise
Societies, Medical
Sports -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques
Exercice -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques
613.71019 - Journal URLs:
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/14690292 ↗
http://www.elsevier.com/journals ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.101616 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 1469-0292
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 6946.536590
British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 18815.xml