Interaction Between Individual, Environment and Task in Motor Learning: The Effects of Competitive Atmosphere and Mental Toughness in Learning Two Simple and Complex Sport Skills

Moradi, Jalil; Vaez Moosavi, Seyed Mohamad Kazem; Amirtash, Ali Mohammad

doi:10.22089/mbj.2017.2782.1342

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Motor Behavior, Arak University, Arak, Iran

² Professor of Sport Psychology, University of Imam Hossein, Tehran, Iran

³ Professor of Sport Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22089/mbj.2017.2782.1342

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to investigate the interaction between individual (mental toughness), environment (competitive atmosphere) and task (two simple and complex sport skills) in motor learning. Subjects included 104 undergraduate students whom were divided into two groups with high and low mental toughness based on mental toughness Questionnaire 48. Than the subjects were divided into eight matched groups following pretest (n₁=n₂=…=n₈=13). The four groups in competitive atmosphere and the four groups in noncompetitive atmosphere performed basketball skills. At the determined and given competitive condition, the groups performed the task for 15 sessions every alternate day. Verbal feedback was provided to participants in acquisition sessions. One week after acquisition training, the retention test were taken. For analyzing data, one way and repeated measure ANOVA were used (P<0.05). The results showed that the groups with high mental toughness in competitive and non-competitive conditions relative to groups with low mental toughness were significantly better acquisition and retention. Also, Comparison of competitive and non-competitive groups showed that there was no significant difference in the acquisition and retention of basketball passing skill, but in basketball shooting skill, the group who had been trained in the competitive space had a significantly better performance. Our results confirm the Interactional approach in motor behavior and sport psychology.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Motor learning

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Interaction Between Individual, Environment and Task in Motor Learning: The Effects of Competitive Atmosphere and Mental Toughness in Learning Two Simple and Complex Sport Skills

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Volume 9, Issue 27 - Serial Number 27June 2017Pages 85-104

Volume 9, Issue 27 - Serial Number 27
June 2017
Pages 85-104