PERFORMANCE LEVELS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS IN ATHLETES IN TRAINING. REFLECTIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DEMAND OF HIGH PERFORMANCE

RESUMO

Sara Marsillas Rascado, Antonio Rial Boubeta, Manuel Isorna Folgar y Diego Alonso Fern�¡ndez

Although different studies have made efforts to identify the variables that can be on the basis of sports performance, there is no agreement yet about which may truly be the most relevant. This exploratory study intends to investigate the possible existence of significant differences at psychological level, with reference to some of the tests routinely used by sport psychologists (POMS, CPRD, BREQ,...). To this extent, the performance of 57 athletes in training was analyzed; comparing with both parametric and nonparametric contrasts the differential behavior of two groups established according to their sports achievements (medium/high vs. elite). The results indicate that some motivational elements (ego orientation) and the profile of mood (fatigue and friendship) were the main differences between the two groups. The differences allow pointing also some interesting implications for applied level.