Pre and Post Competition Psychology and its Relationship with Competition Results in Lawn Bowl Disabilities Athletes in Asian Paragames 2022

Abstract

This research purpose was investigated the psychology of disabilities athletes before and after the competition and the relationship with the results of the lawn bowl competition at the Asian Paragames 2022. The research method used is a survey. The 12 blind athletes (6 men and 6 women) participating in this study were aged 37.67±11.07 years, weight 68.58±10.13 kg, height 165.00±7.07 cm, and had 3.19±1.06 years of experience playing lawn bowls. Data analysis was carried out using paired t-test and regression analysis with significance at p<0.05. The results of the paired t-test revealed significant differences before and after the competition in athletic identity (p = 0.000), anxiety (p = 0.000), self-efficacy in sports (p = 0.000), expectations of success (p = 0.000), and mood profile (p = 0.000). The results of the regression analysis revealed that the regression model which included anxiety, athletic identity, expectations of success, self-efficacy in sports, and mood profile was significant for competition outcomes (F = 101.75, p = 0.000), with 99.92% of competition outcomes explained by variations in psychological variables (R square = 0.992). Based on the relationship, only anxiety shown a negative relationship to the competition results with a regression coefficient of -3.102 for anxiety-state and -0.723 for anxiety-trait. In conclusion, improvements are needed in athletic identity, self-efficacy, expectancy of success, and a positive mood profile to reduce the anxiety level before competition then improve competition performance better in lawn bowl athletes.