Associations Between Psychological Profiles and Performance Success Among Professional Taekwondo Athletes in China: A Multidimensional Scaling Profile Analysis.

Bing Li,Liya Guo,Huiying Shi,Fenghui Fan,Cody Ding,Feng Yang

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00822

Bing Li, Liya Guo + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00822

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Abstract

Sport psychology research has long sought to uncover the determinants of the optimal psychological state for peak performance. Persistent inquiries in this work include whether there is a set of ideal psychological and emotional factors that are required to achieve optimal performance and, if there are, what are they and how are they related to optimal performance. To answer these questions, the current study aimed to identify potential profiles of personality and emotional traits based on a sample of professional Taekwondo athletes from China. In addition, the study also aimed to examine the utility of the profiles in predicting successful athlete performance. Using multidimensional scaling (MDS) profile analysis, two latent profiles of personality and emotional traits were identified that indicate four subtypes of athletes. Regression analyses were conducted to examine how the identified profiles were associated with performance success. The results seemed to suggest that Taekwondo athletes with more performance success were more likely to have a profile of positive personality and emotional traits, while athletes with less performance success were likely to have somewhat elevated levels of self-control, extraversion, and aggression. Knowledge of athletes’ personality profiles will help sport psychologists develop suitable interventions to enhance athletes’ performance success. In concluding, the results are discussed in the context of athlete psychosocial development. The study added further evidence about the association between psychological and emotional factors and successful Taekwondo athletes.

Highlights

All athletes strive to achieve peak performance, during competition
The purposes of this study are (1) to identify personality and emotional trait profiles based on a sample of professional Taekwondo athletes and (2) to investigate the association between the identified profiles and performance success
The purpose of the current study was (1) to identify personality and emotional trait profiles based on a sample of professional Taekwondo athletes and (2) to investigate the association between the identified profiles and performance success

Summary

Introduction

All athletes strive to achieve peak performance, during competition. For our purposes, it is important to note that “peak performance” is the state in which athletes can achieve superior functioning at their optimal psychological and physical levels, leading to outstanding outcomes (Chiodo et al, 2011; Harmison, 2011). Psychological Profiles of Taekwondo Athletes for peak performance has been a topic in sport psychology since 1977, following Ravizza (1977) work on peak performance. Questions such as whether intense training results in a particular athletic personality or psychological states (e.g., anxiety, depression, anger, hostility, fatigue-inertia, and low self-confidence) have long been investigated (e.g., Beall, 1986; Henschen, 1986; Morgan et al, 1987; Casolino et al, 2012). Further questions remain regarding what constitutes a psychological state conducive to consistently superior athletic performance during competitions (Gardner, 2009). As indicated by Anderson et al (2014), research on the psychological factors of superior performance is critical for steering the courses of recruiting, training, and making interventions for professional athletes

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