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Psychological Skills Differences Between Male And Female Indian Gymnasts

Malika Sharma, Ph.D Research Scholar, Department Of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Delh i University,

India.

Dr. Lalit Sharma, Associate Professor, IGIPESS, D.U.

Meenakshi, Assistant Professor, IGIPESS, D.U

Abstract

Psychological skills play an important role in athletic performance. Practitioners and researchers

in sport psychology have developed numerous psychological interventions for enhancing performance. When coaches and athletes turn to sport psychology to gain a competitive edge, they learn ways to manage competitive stress, control concentration, improve confidence, increase

communication skills, promote team unity, and many other mental factors in sport. But does it work differently with males and females was the question in the mind of researcher, so the aim of the

present study was to examine possible differences in the use of psychological skills between male and female Indian Artistic Gymnasts. The sample consisted of 75 Indian Artistic Gymnasts (45 males and 30 females), Aged 17 to 27 years, from different universities those who participated in

Intervarsity Championship in Patiala, 2010. The Psychological Skills Assessment scale for individual sports was adopted which assessed the psychological skills namely imagery, self-

awareness, self-confidence, attention, motivation, arousal regulation, goal setting and psychic energy management of the gymnasts. The t-test was computed to find out the level of significance was set at 0.05. The results showed that there was no significant difference between male and

female Indian artistic gymnasts in selected psychological skills. Female and Male displaying same level in psychological skills. Results of this study could be considered from coaches and sport

psychologists in order to help athletes improve their athletic performance.

Introduction

Sport specialists agree that athletic performance is influenced not only by physical skills but also by psychological ones. In order to achieve peak performance athletes need a “total package” including

physical skills, psychological skills, fitness and injury prevention. (Christos K, Polyxeni. A,Athanassia. S, 2009).

Psychological skills are the mental abilities or skills, which can be learnt as we learn the physical skills to get the perfection over sports movements. There exists Psychological Skill Training (PST)

that is used to enhance performance. PST refers to systematic and consistent practice of mental skills. PST is important because psychological factors are the primary key in day-to-day fluctuations in performance (i.e., having a good day or an off day). However, they are often

overlooked because of lack of knowledge about them, misunderstandings about how they are learned, and a lack of time. The most useful PST topics are Arousal Regulation, Imagery and

mental preparation, increased motivation and commitment, Goal setting, Confidence, Attention and concentration, Self-talk, Mental Plans.

With respect to the effectiveness of PST - Psychological Skills Training enhances performance. PST intervention must be tailored to each individual, be practiced over time and use different

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techniques (i.e., combining imagery, self talk and goal setting). However, not much research has been done to test the Psychological skills of male and females, therefore more studies must be done to reach more conclusive ideas to find if, any significant difference exist in the use of Psychological

Skills by male and female athletes.

Evidence predicts that people perform differently even when carrying same physical skills. There can be certain reasons such as physical, physiological, mental, social differences. In the present study researcher has focussed on the Psychological skills (mental aspects) only. To answer the

question, does women and men different in their choices and behaviour? The popular opinion focuses on the environmental cues that lead to our distinct behaviours. But is there also an innate

biological basis to the choices and differing abilities between men and women? The characteristic patteokkmrns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours make each person unique. Cognitive functioning or brain processing differences in the two genders has been a point of interest and

contention for many years. (Arunjot Singh, 2003).

It is not self-evident that the relation between psychological skills and performance level is similar for different types of sports or for males and females. Various studies have indicated, for example, that differences exist in psychological skills between individual and team sports (Feltz and Ewing,

1987; Mahoney et al., 1987; Cox and Liu, 1993) and between the genders (White, 1993; Chantal et al., 1996; Sewell and Edmondson, 1996; MacIntyre et al., 1998).

The gender differences emerged during the course of human evolution because men and women

often faced different selection pressures. Men have come to acquire systemizing and mechanistic skills because such skills were necessary for inventing and making tools and weapons. At the same time, low empathizing ability and aggression necessary for male competition. Similarly, women

have come to acquire empathizing and mentalistic skills because they facilitate various aspects of mothering, such as anticipating and understanding the needs of infants who cannot yet talk, or

making friends and allies in new environments etc.( Satoshi Kanazawa, 2008) (Baron-Cohen, Simon, 1999)

The studies on gender differences in memory are mixed and inconsistent, with some studies

showing no difference, and others showing a female or male advantage. And studies investigating the spatial abilities of men and women have found no significant differences, though metastudies show a male advantage in mental rotation and assessing horizontality and verticality, and a female

advantage in spatial memory (Ellis, 2008).

Where as, research on gender and psychology investigates cognitive and behavioural differences between men and women. This research employs experimental tests of cognition, which take a

variety of forms. Tests focus on possible differences in areas such as IQ, spatial reasoning, and emotion. Most tests score shows differences between females and males. Areas include verbal and mathematical ability. Because social and environmental factors affect brain activity and behaviour,

Studies on this topic explore the possibility of social influences on how both genders perform in cognitive and behavioural tests. (Urbina, Susana, 1996).

The study on the gender differences concerning state anxiety levels and Self-Confidence reflects

that self-confidence tends to decrease in females on the day a competitive event is to occur. Male young athletes typically display lower levels of anxiety and higher self-confidence than female athletes (Scanlan & Passer, 1979; Wark & Witting, 1979). Where as, Krane and Williams (1994)

found no gender differences for cognitive anxiety.

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A study was done to examine possible differences in the use of psychological skills of Greek track and field athletes of different gender and level. The results showed that elite level athletes were significantly better compared to non elite in emotional control, goal setting, imagery, activation,

negative thinking and relaxation. Also, male athletes had better emotional control and used more relaxation, compared to females. Among elite level athletes, gender differences in psychological

skills remained, with females displaying less effective emotional control and relaxation. (Christos K, 2009)

Studies of psychological gender differences are controversial and subject to error. Many small-scale

studies report differences that are not repeated in larger studies. So, keeping in mind the controversies in this field the researcher has tried to find out the difference in the use of psychological skills by the male and female Indian gymnasts, so that the coaches and the gymnasts

themselves can be benefited to understand the level of psychological skills as sports psychology’s core attention is to achieve the higher performance, so it may help the planners and the coaches to

understand the individual gymnast’s behaviour patterns, strength, weaknesses and the trigger point. This will help the coaches and the planners to schedule the training plan and load according to the level of gymnast’s mental and physical abilities, to achieve the better results.

Therefore, the study of Indian Gymnasts psychological aspect in relation to the gender may be

helpful to understand their mental side and prepare the mental training program to train them to overcome fears and blocks and perform to their potential under pressure. Keeping in view the above

mentioned aspects it is necessary to assess the psychological skills level of the Indian gymnasts, to make it possible to understand their psychological skills level and prepare an effective PST program to enhance their performance.

Procedure & Methodology

A total of seventy five artistic male and female gymnasts were selected as the subjects by convenient sampling and those who were volunteered to participate in the study. The subjects were selected from Allahabad University, Calcutta university, Lakshmibai National University of

Physical Education, Gwalior, Punjab University, Bareli University, Pune University, Guru Nanak Dev University, MDU and Delhi university. The age range of the subjects was between 17 to 27

years and the average age was 22 years. Those who participated in the Intervarsity championship held at Patiala, 2010. In order to assess the psychological sk ills of the Indian gymnasts, The Psychological Skills Assessment scale for individual sports developed and authenticated by Sharma

and Tiwari was adopted to assess the psychological skills of the gymnasts. The corabach alpha in the psychological skills assessment was .94. The scale measures following eight psychological

skills namely, Imagery, Self-awareness, Self-confidence, Attention, Motivation, Arousal Regulation, Psychic Energy Management and Goal setting.

The research scholar made personal visit to the gymnastics Intervarsity championship held in Patiala,

2010, and distributed the questionnaire to the respondents. The purpose of the study was clearly explained to the respondent before administering the questionnaire. The respondents were requested to

read the instructions carefully before giving the final response to the questions.

Results & Discussion

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For the purpose of the present study Descriptive statistics and Comparative statistics were employed step wise.

Table - 1

Descriptive Statistics on the Selected Variables of Psychological Skills

DEPENDENT

VARIABLES

GENDER

MALE M ± SD

FEMALE M ± SD

Imagery 29.13 ± 2.91 26.17 ± 2.60

Self-Awareness 26.13 ± 3.42 24.90 ± 3.17

Self-Confidence 18.98 ± 3.16 18.47 ± 2.40

Attention 12.15 ± 1.74 11.50 ± 2.01

Motivation 12.18 ± 1.57 11.73 ± 2.07

Arousal-Regulation 9.24 ± 1.99 8.83 ± 1.80

Gaol-Setting 19.80 ± 2.86 19.17 ± 2.63

Psychic Energy Management 15.58 ± 2.93 15.57 ± 2.53

Total 142.98 ± 14.13 136.17 ± 13.14

Note: Male Gymnasts = 45, Female Gymnasts = 30 and total gymnasts in the study i.e 45 + 30 = 75.

Table – 1 indicates that Means values (± SD) and comparisons between the gender groups of Indian artistic Gymnasts for the psychological skills levels, under dependent variable Imagery, male and

female’s M ± SD is 29.13 ± 2.91 and 26.17 ± 2.60 respectively. Under dependent variable Self- Awareness, male and female’s M ± SD is 26.13 ± 3.42 and 24.90 ± 3.17 respectively. In Self- confidence, male and female’s M ± SD is 18.98 ± 3.16 and 18.47 ± 2.40 respectively. Attention has

male and female’s M ± SD is 12.15 ± 1.74 and 11.50 ± 2.01 respectively. Motivation has male and female’s M ± SD is 12.18 ± 1.57 and 11.73 ± 2.07 respectively. Arousal Regulation has male and

female’s M ± SD is 9.24 ± 1.99 and 8.83 ± 1.80 respectively. Goal setting has male and female’s M ± SD is 19.80 ± 2.86 and 19.17 ± 2.63 respectively. Psychic energy management has male and female’s M ± SD is 15.58 ± 2.93 and 15.57 ± 2.53 respectively. And under total variables ma le and

female’s M ± SD is 142.98 ± 14.13 and 136.17 ± 13.14 respectively.

Table – 2

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Significance of Mean Difference between Male and Female Gymnasts On Selected Psychological

Variables.

Dependent Variables Male

Mean

Female

Mean

M D df t- value

Imagery 29.13 26.17 2.96 66.93 4.61

Self-Awareness 26.13 24.90 1.23 65.55 1.60

Self-Confidence 18.98 18.47 0.51 71.64 0.79

Attention 12.15 11.50 0.65 56.05 1.46

Motivation 12.18 11.73 0.44 50.69 1.00

Arousal Regulation 9.24 8.83 0.41 66.40 0.92

Goal Setting 19.80 19.17 0.63 65.80 0.98

Psychic Energy

Management

15.58 15.57 0.01 68.13 0.02

Total 142.98 136.17 6.81 65.35 2.13

Note : SD - Standard Deviation, M – Mean, MD – Mean Difference

- *Significant at 0.05 level

Table -2 indicates that Means values and comparisons between the gender groups of Indian artistic Gymnasts for the psychological skills levels, under dependent variable Imagery, male and female’s MD 2.96 and t –value 4.61. Under dependent variable Self- Awareness MD 1.23 and t –value 1.60.

In Self- confidence MD 0.51 and t –value 0.79. Attention has MD 0.65 and t –value 1.46. Motivation MD 0.44 and t –value 1.00. Arousal Regulation has MD 0.41, DF 66.40 and t –value

0.92. Goal setting has MD 0.63 and t –value 0.98. Psychic energy management has MD 0.01 and t –value 0.02. And under total variables MD 6.81 and t –value 2.13. None of the variables were found significant at the set level of 0.05.

Discussion

Eight psychological skills were analyzed namely: Imagery, Self-awareness, Self-confidence, Attention, Motivation, mental arousal, psychic energy management and goal setting. The data was collected and analyzed by employing the t- test to obtain the significant differences in the use of

psychological skills between male and female of Indian Artistic Gymnasts. The analysis of data reveals that there is no difference among the Male and female Gymnasts in imagery, self-awareness,

self-confidence, attention, motivation, arousal regulation, goal setting and psychic energy management.

Research findings from previous studies, with regard to gender differences in psychological skills are conflicting. The data analysis in the present study Showed that male and female gymnasts have

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no significant difference in motivation, Harwood, (2004) in his study also supported that there is no significant difference. The findings of the present study are also in consonance with findings of the Scanlan & Passer, Wark & Witting, (1979) with regard to the self-confidence and arousal

regulation. In addition, male and females gymnasts in the present study displayed same level of arousal regulation and have similar function of imagery which is not consistent with results of

Shahrian, Navabi nejad et al, (1997) Hall et al (1380) but consistent with results Hall et al (1985) and to Thomas et al, 1999. And in Attention, Goal-setting and Psychic energy management was almost same in the case of male as well as female.

Ickes, W, (1997), have also found no differences in empathy between men and women, and suggest

that perceived gender differences are the result of motivational differences. (Klein K. Hodges S, 2001).

Hyde (2005), has reviewed evidence from studies on: Cognitive variables, Communication, Social and personality variable, Psychological well-being, Motor behaviours & Miscellaneous. Fully 78%

of the differences between men and women are small or close to zero. The main areas of differences between men and women are Aggression and Motor performance. So, the differences between men

and women are probably very small or non-existent.

Conclusion

As a conclusion to this study, it is found that there is no difference in the use of Psychological Skills by the male and female Indian Artistic Gymnasts regardless of performance level.

No gender differences were found in psychological variables namely Imagery, Self-awareness.

Self-confidence and Attention skills were found at the same level in male and females.

Male and females showed the same level of Motivation, mental arousal and Goal-Setting.

Research Implications

The findings of the present study, hopefully, could help track and field coaches and sport

psychologists to design more effective training plans, incorporating psychological skills that need to be enhanced. The training of the specific performance strategies, along with physical and technical

components, could help the Indian Gymnasts of different level and gender to improve their performance.

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