Psychological Skills Evaluation of Greek Swimmers  with Physical Disabilities

Georgia Polatidou; Batsiou Sofia; Antoniou Panagiotis; Agelousis Nikolaos; Polatidou Panagiota

Volume : III, Issue : XII, December - 2013

Psychological Skills Evaluation of Greek Swimmers with Physical Disabilities

Georgia Polatidou, Batsiou Sofia, Antoniou Panagiotis, Agelousis Nikolaos, Polatidou Panagiota

Abstract :

This study examined the internal consistency and structural validity of the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory–28 for the Greek population of disabled swimmers. It also included research on the psychological skills of all participants of the National Championship for the first time with regard to their age, gender, classification, acquired or disability by birth, athletic experience and weekly training hours. Eighty two athletes (58 men and 24 women), answered voluntarily the ACSI–28 questionnaire. Results of the research showed that female swimmers were found to be more capable than men in coping skills like coachability, release of anxiety and peaking under pressure. The type of their disability affects the concentration of swimmers as classified functional ability made them more effective in under pressure conditions. Finally, swimmers practicing eight hours per week were more capable to put specific goals and to achieve better mental preparation for the race compared to those who trained ten or six hours per week.