PhD, Associate Professor N.I. Khokhlova¹
PhD, Associate Professor T.A. Rodermel^1
1Surgut State University, Surgut

Objective of the study was to rate mental qualities of the short- and long-distance runners (sprinters and stayers). Sampled for the study were 20-25 year-old athletes (n=13) including 7 sprinters and 6 stayers free of physical injuries/ health disorders, with the sample grouped as advised by the coaches. A comparative analysis of the mental qualities test data showed high motivations and low mental control qualities and skills in the sample regardless of the distance; with the sprinters tested with relatively higher aggression and anxiety rates versus the stayers. The study data demonstrate the need for a special psychological support service to the athletes including the distance-specific mental conditioning tools. The authors offer a toolkit that may be helpful for the sport psychologists striving to analyze and improve the individual athletes’ mental control qualities and skills for a competitive success; and list the priority fields for the psychological support service.

Keywords: sprinter, stayer, mental qualities .

References

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