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Determining Factors of Psychological Performance and Differences among Age Categories in Youth Football Players

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  • Juan de Dios Benítez-Sillero

    (Department of Specific Didactics, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cordoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
    Laboratory of Studies on Coexistence and Prevention of Violence (HUM-298-PAIDI), University of Cordoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain)

  • Luis Manuel Martínez-Aranda

    (Faculty of Sport, Catholic University of San Antonio (UCAM), 30107 Murcia, Spain
    Human Movement Neuroscience Research Group (Neuromove), Catholic University of San Antonio (UCAM), 30107 Murcia, Spain)

  • Manuel Sanz-Matesanz

    (Faculty of Sport, Catholic University of San Antonio (UCAM), 30107 Murcia, Spain)

  • Marta Domínguez-Escribano

    (Department of Specific Didactics, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cordoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain)

Abstract

Within the determining factors of psychological performance, mental toughness is considered a multidimensional factor, comprising cognitive, affective, and behavioural components together with self-confidence, which is related to success in sports performance as well as psychological health and well-being. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between different factors composing mental toughness and age categories in young football players, in order to determine the presence of specific psychological skills in their formative progression. A total of 118 male players (16.91 ± 2.42 years old) completed the Spanish version by Cernuda (1988) of the original Psychological Performance Inventory (PPI) by Loher (1982, 1986). The results indicated significant differences in four variables (negative energy control, attention control, visual and image control, motivational level) on three different age categories, where the U19 category showed the best results for all the variables, decreasing afterwards in the semi-professional category. Significant correlations were established between mental toughness variables and age categories, where the age category variable was significantly correlated in a positive way with attention control, visual and image control, and motivational level. In the same line, the variable self-confidence correlated positively with negative energy control, attention control, motivational level, attention control, and positive energy. The assessment of psychological variables such as mental toughness, taking into account the formative stage, may be helpful for both coaches and players when selecting adequate mental skill training for improving competitive performance and sporting success, as well as for positive and healthy psychological development and well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan de Dios Benítez-Sillero & Luis Manuel Martínez-Aranda & Manuel Sanz-Matesanz & Marta Domínguez-Escribano, 2021. "Determining Factors of Psychological Performance and Differences among Age Categories in Youth Football Players," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-10, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:14:p:7713-:d:591839
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joanna S Zeiger & Robert S Zeiger, 2018. "Mental toughness latent profiles in endurance athletes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-15, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Enrique Iglesias-Martínez & Jorge Roces-García & David Méndez-Alonso, 2021. "Predictive Strength of Contextual and Personal Variables in Soccer Players’ Goal Orientations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-8, September.
    2. Silvia Teodorescu & Aura Bota & Veronica Popescu & Mariana Mezei & Constanta Urzeala, 2021. "Sports Training during COVID-19 First Lockdown—A Romanian Coaches’ Experience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-27, September.

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