semmelweis university - Faculty of Physical Education and Sport ...

Emese Márkus-Attila Tóth
Semmelweis University, Faculty of P. E. and Sport Sciences (TF), Budapest, Hungary
Supervisor: Dr. László Révész, assistant professor
An Analysis of Coping Skills in Triathlon
Introduction: Ever since the first competition, which took place in San Diego in 1974, the
popularity of triathlon increased to such an extent that it was included in the Olympic Games
by the millenary. The question of what the co-factors contributing to success in such a young
sport may be occurred to us. After studying the Hungarian scientific literature in connection
with triathlon it became apparent that the scope of knowledge required for professional
development is incomplete. The primary goal of our study was to help and support the
development of the sport with empirical data and research results. The subjects of our
research were athletes, who take part in Heraklész program, at the age of 14-15 (adolescents)
and 16-17 (youths). We studied and compared their psychological features. We focused on
their competitive state and their coping skills in sports, as these are the most influential factors
that define performance and success.
Hypothesis: 1. The psychological capacities of the two age groups are significantly different.
2. The cognitive and the somatic state anxiety are lower in the case of youths athletes.
The subject and the method: The data survey was conducted with questionnaires (N=30).
Age average: 15,37 years; 47% male, 53% female. The mathematical statistical analysis was
carried out by the SPSS 16.0 program. The study aiming at the competitive state (CSAI-2)
monitored the emotions preceding the start, which significantly influences the success of the
athlete. The test for coping skills in sports (ACSI-28) analyzes the probable behavior during
preparation and competition. The results show at what level an athlete is able to do their best
during training sessions and races.
Results: The difference between the psychological capacities of the two age groups was
shown by the ability of concentration and peaking under pressure. The ability of concentration
is higher in the case of youths female athletes. After examining both age groups, we found
that the ability of concentration and peaking under pressure are higher with adolescents
athletes. Youths male athletes had significantly lower cognitive competitive distress
(40,28%:50,69%) and their level of self-confidence was higher than that of the adolescents
male athletes (69,44%:61,46%). The overall picture of adolescents athletes as well as
alongside the gender division showed more cognitive and somatic competitive distress than
the more experienced youths athletes. Both groups proved to be highly coachable. Female
athletes (84,38%) were more coachable than males (79,02%), but at the same time girls
showed lower level of the ability of coping with adversities (58,98%:69,64%). Male athletes
were found to have high level of freedom of worry. The lowest sample are also important for
our study. In the case of adolescents athletes this sample was the ability of peaking under
pressure. There is space for improvement for male youths athletes in mental preparation and
goal-setting, for female youths athletes in coping with adversities in order to become more
successful in the coming years. For adolescents athletes the ability of peaking under pressure
needs to be improved for achieving success.
Conclusion: The youths athletes have better psychological features which is attributable to
their age and their competition-experience. Both male and female youths athletes have higher
level of self-confidence. Therefore their cognitive and somatic state anxiety are lower. Youths
athletes are more likely of peaking under pressure as they are more capable of doing their
best. Therefore their concentration ability is also better than adolescents athletes.
49