Citation

Adegbesan OA, Nkala BM. Afr. J. Phys. Health Edu. Recreat. Dance 2008; 14(4): 485-494.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Centre for Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, University of Venda for Science and Technology, Publisher LAP Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

A descriptive investigation with regards to the perception of athletes on sports injury prevention is required especially with the use of psychological skill technique variables which have empirically shown to contribute positively to sports injury prevention and physical recovery from injury. A survey design which permits the description of all responses and provides procedural outline was used for the study. One hundred and forty three elite male and female athletes with mean ages of 23.44±5.3 (male) and 21.76±4.4 years (female) were used to collect data based on a 14-item self-report instrument on psychological skill techniques for sports injury prevention. The overall internal consistency coefficient alpha was r = .75. Pearson correlation matrix and independent sample t-test were utilized for data analysis. Findings revealed that significant positive relationships (p<.05) exist among the perceived psychological skill techniques utilized to prevent sports injury. The results further revealed greater strength in the relationship between goal-setting and imagery when compared with other psychological skill techniques. It was also established that athletes by gender did not differ significantly (p>.05) on their perception of utilization of the psychological skill techniques for sports injury prevention. High competitive anxiety and high emotional state coupled with tension and stress which are detrimental to athletes' well being are common features in sports, which could render athletes vulnerable to sport injury. Therefore the acquisition of these psychological skill techniques as well as the proper use by athletes will not only assist in injury prevention, but also help the athletes to achieve a high level of performance excellence.