Journal of Advances in Para-Sport Science
A peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal dedicated to the advancement of sports sciences for individuals with diverse abilities

The Impact of a Psychological Skills Training (PST) Course on the Level of Sports Injury Anxiety and Fear of Failure in Elite Football Athletes

Authors

Mohammad Khazaei 1
Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini 2
Saleh Moazam 3

1 PhD in Sports Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Ph.D. candidate of Sports Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Ph.D, Candidate in Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology, University of Tabriz: Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, IR

Abstract
The aim of this research was to determine the impact of a psychological skills training (PST) course on the level of sports injury anxiety and fear of failure. This research was of an applied and cross-sectional nature, and the statistical population consisted of elite football athletes, among whom 45 completed the existing scale. The measurement tools used were the Sports Injury Anxiety Scale (SIAS) and the Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory (PFAI) to assess fear of failure. The pre-test for sports injury anxiety and fear of failure was conducted in all three groups, and the experimental group followed the corresponding protocol for 12 sessions, after which the post-test was carried out. The data were analyzed using the dependent t-test and ANCOVA. The results showed that after the intervention, sports injury anxiety and fear of failure had decreased, and there were differences in the responses to the items on the sports injury anxiety and fear of failure test between the two experimental groups, the pre-exercise intervention and the pre-sleep intervention. In general, it can be concluded that practicing psychological skills can be a strategy for reducing psychological responses such as sports injury anxiety and fear of failure. Sports psychologists are advised to use this intervention to reduce sports injury anxiety and fear of failure, and consequently to improve performance.

Keywords

sports injury anxiety
fear of failure
psychological skills training
Elite
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Journal of Advances in Para-Sport Science
Volume 4, Issue 1
February 2024
Pages 38-48