Emotional Intelligence and its Relationship to Self-Regulation in Individual Sports

Introduction: sports achievements in contemporary conditions rely not only on physical training but also on integrating innovative psychological training methods. This article aims to analyse the connection between emotional intelligence levels and self-regulation skills in athletes engaged in individual sports. Method: a correlational research design was employed, making it ideal for examining the relationship between emotional intelligence and self-regulation in individual sports. This approach allowed for the analysis of real sports scenarios, using statistical tools to summarise empirical findings, and applying comparison methods to highlight differences. Results: findings reveal that athletes in individual sports generally exhibit average emotional intelligence, reflecting moderate adaptability to extreme professional situations. The highest levels of emotional intelligence are observed in gymnasts and martial arts practitioners. Athletes in tennis and swimming demonstrate average levels. Those engaged in karate and swimming display superior emotional awareness and empathy. The data also confirm that emotional intelligence is a critical predictor for self-regulation under stress. Key components of emotional intelligence include emotional awareness, stress management, and adaptability. Practical applications for enhancing emotional intelligence involve developing specialised programmes, providing individual psychological support, and integrating psycho-emotional training with general athletic programmes. Conclusions: the study underscores the importance of fostering psychologically resilient environments to enable athletes to achieve their goals effectively.