An Examination of the Attention and Psychological Skill Levels of Combat Athletes

Year 2024, , 316 - 332, 30.09.2024

Halil Gülsoy , Süleyman Erim Erhan

https://doi.org/10.47778/ejsse.1530549

Abstract

The problem statement of the research is to examine whether there is any difference between the selected martial arts branches and attention levels and psychological skill levels. Also, there is a significant difference between gender and psychological skill and attention. The aim of this research is to examine the relationship between the psychological skills and attention levels of athletes involved in four different branches of combat sports (Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Taekwondo). A total of 85 athletes participated in the study, consisting of 52 males and 33 females. As data collection tools, a personal information form, the d2 Test of attention, and scale for evaluating athletes' psychological skills were used. To compare the data, the Independent Samples T-Test was applied for binary groups, and the One-Way ANOVA test was applied for groups of three or more. To determine which groups showed significant differences as a result of the One-Way ANOVA test, Tukey's Post Hoc test was used. At the end of the study, the richness and differences of Muay Thai among combat sports have been brought to the literature.

Keywords

Combat sports, Muay Thai, Attention, Psychological skill

References

• Bektaş, F. (2019). Evaluation of D2 attention levels of orienteering national team athletes who are in education age. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 7(6), 49-55. https://doi.org/10.11114/jets.v7i6.4204
• Brickenkamp, R., & Rump, G. (1966). The Stability of the attention load test (Test D2) over longer periods of time. Diagnostica, 12(1), 17-24.
• Çağlar, E., & Koruç, Z. (2006). Reliability and validity of d2 attention test in athletes. Journal of Sports Sciences, 17(2), 58-80.
• Çelik, A. (2023). An investigation of the dietary habits and attention levels of secondary school students who do and do not participate in sports (Doctoral dissertation). Selçuk University, Institute of Health Sciences, Konya.
• Emru-Tadesee, M. (2017). Martial arts and adolescents: Using theories to explain the positive effects of Asian martial arts on the well-being of adolescents. Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, 17(2), 9-23. https://doi.org/10.14589/ido.17.2.2
• Erhan, S. E., Bedir, D., Güler, M. Ş., & Ağduman, F. (2015). Turkish validity and reliability study of the psychological skills assessment scale of athletes. Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, 17(1), 59-71.
• Eynur, B. R., Eynur, A., & Erzeybek, M. S. (2017). Studying attention levels of the university students from various Sport branches. In SHS Web of Conferences (Vol. 37, p. 01059). EDP Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20173701059
• Gallahue, D. L. (1982). Assessing motor development in young children. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 8(3), 247-252. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-491X(82)90028-1
• Karasar, N. (2014). Scientific research methods: Concepts, techniques and principles (27th ed.). Nobel Publishing House, 109-111.
• Kimmel, M., & Rogler, C. R. (2018). Affordances in interaction: The case of Aikido. Ecological Psychology, 30(3), 195-223. https://doi.org/10.1080/10407413.2018.1438198
• Korkmaz, B. (2010). Autism: Clinical and neurobiological features, early diagnosis, treatment and some current developments. Turkish Archives of Pediatrics, 45(12), 37-44.
• Özdemir, E., & Tokol, T. (2008). Marketing strategies for women consumers. Anadolu University Journal of Social Sciences, 8(2), 57-80.
• Rudman, L. A., Mescher, K., & Moss-Racusin, C. A. (2013). Reactions to gender Egalitarian men: Perceived feminization due to stigma-by-association. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 16(5), 572-599. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430212461160
• Şahinler, Y. (2021). Investigation of psychological skill levels of athletes. Iğdır University Journal of Sports Sciences, 4(1), 8-18.
• Smith, R. E., & Christensen, D. S. (1995). Psychological skills as predictors of performance and survival in professional baseball. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(4), 399-415. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.17.4.399
• Smith, R. E., Schutz, R. W., Smoll, F. L., & Ptacek, J. T. (1995). Development and validation of a multidimensional measure of sport-specific psychological skills: The Athletic coping skills inventory 28. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(4), 379-398. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.17.4.379
• Tabachnick, B.G., Fidell, L.S., & Ullman, J.B. (2013). Use of multivariate statistics. Pearson.
• Theeboom, M., De Knop, P., & Vertonghen, J. (2009). Experiences of children in martial arts. European Journal for Sport and Society, 6(1), 19-35. https://doi.org/10.1080/16138171.2009.11687825
• Tiryaki, Ş. (2000). Sports psychology: Concepts, theories and practice. Eylül Bookstore and Publishing House.
• Toker, M. Z. (1990). Adaptation study of the d2 attention test. V. National Psychology Congress (pp. 627-635). İzmir: Special Issue of the Psychology-Seminar Journal.
• Weiser, M., Kutz, I., Kutz, S. J., & Weiser, D. (1995). Psychotherapeutic aspects of martial arts. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 49(1), 118-127. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1995.49.1.118
• Yayci, L. (2007). Testing The Effectiveness of a program based on developing selective and concentrated attention skills in fourth grade primary school students. Doctoral dissertation, Marmara University, Türkiye.
• Zillmer, E. A., & Kennedy, C. H. (1999). Preliminary United States norms for the d2 test of attention. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 14(8), 727-728. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/14.8.727
• Zillmer, R. B. E., & Brickenkamp, R. (1998). D2 test of attention. Hogrefe & Huber Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1037/t03299-000