Mental skills and stress Rreaction : comparison between Icelandic elite and non-elite athletes in 2016

Abstract

Sport psychology is a growing field. The literature indicates that elite athletes have better mental skills, more self-confidence, are more committed and can manage stress in a more positive way than non-elite athletes. In this study athletes’ mental skills were measured with the OMSAT questionnaire and athletes stress was measured with the PSS questionnaire. All athletes were a part of a young and promising athlete program with ISI in 2012. Present data and data from 2012 were used for statistical analysis. Athletes that answered the questionnaire were split into two groups; elite athletes and non-elite athletes depending on were they stand in their sport today. Participant were 21, 15 elite and seven non-elite athletes´ and the age range was 18-24 years old. The questionnaire was administered via Facebook. Results indicate significant difference between the groups in one sub-category in the OMSAT questionnaire from 2012, which was refocusing. Difference in scores from the PSS questionnaire from 2012 were not significant. Even though there was little significant difference there was a difference in average score between elite and non-elite athletes, the reason for so little significant difference could be few participants and uneven groups which can indicate a power issue. Keywords: OMSAT, PSS, mental skills, stress, elite athletes, non-elite athletes