Diagnostics of the state of mental readiness of an athlete
Diagnostics of the state of mental readiness for competition should be considered as one of the most important modern problems of sports psychology. This problem is in the very initial stage of development.
When diagnosing the state of mental readiness for competition, it is worth focusing on the signs that are part of the syndrome of this condition, and therefore use a certain set of diagnostic methods. Such a set should include:
1. Samples that can be used without taking into account the specifics of each sport;
2. Special samples, i.e. reflecting the specifics of the athlete.
Stress level
To diagnose the level of stress before the start, the “unleavened bread” “Self-esteem scale” by Ch.D. Spielberger and Yu.L. Khanin is widely used. The instructions on the questionnaire usually do not cause any difficulties for athletes and do not require additional explanations. The survey is conducted individually without time limits. It usually takes from 3 to 5 minutes to fill out the scale. The “unleavened bread” looks like this (Table).
The final score is obtained by summing all the points for the answers. It can range from 20 to 80 points. The higher this score, the higher the degree of stress in the competition. It was found that the state of athletes is estimated on average at 41.02 ± 9.37 (men) and 44.10 ± 9.93 (women).
Each mental state acts for a person as an experience and at the same time as a manifestation of activity in external actions and behavior.
All mental states are temporary in nature, but their duration can vary within very significant limits (from seconds to many days).
The following methods are also used:
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Instructions. Read each of the following statements carefully and circle the appropriate number on the right under one or the other line according to how you feel at that moment. Do not think about the questions for a long time, as there are no right or wrong answers.
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I am calm
I am not threatened
I am tense
I feel sorry
I feel free
I am upset
I am worried about possible failures
I feel rested
I am anxious
I experience a sense of inner satisfaction
I am confident
I am nervous
I cannot find my place
I am tense
I do not feel constrained, tense
I am satisfied
I am worried
I am too excited and uncomfortable
I am joyful
I am pleased
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No, that's not true at all
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Probably so
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True
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Done right
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The processing and calculation of the results is carried out by evaluating each answer from 1 to 4 points using a key.
Key to the self-assessment scale
Question Score Question Score
4 3 2 1 11. 4 3 2 1
4 3 2 1 12. 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 13. 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 14. 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 15. 4 3 2 1
1 2 3 4 16. 4 3 2 1
1 2 3 4 17. 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 18. 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 19. 4 3 2 1
4 3 2 1 20. 4 3 2 1
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Static tremor measurement. This method measures the tremor of the fingers - tremor, which, as is known, increases with increasing levels of neuropsychiatric stress. The experimental procedure consists in the fact that the athlete is asked to insert a probe with a diameter of 1 mm into a hole on the tremometer panel with a diameter of 2 mm and hold it there with an outstretched hand, without touching the walls of the hole, for 10-15 s. Each touch of the probe to the walls of the hole, caused by involuntary hand tremor, is recorded by an electric pulse counter (the EMC-54 counter is very convenient for these purposes) and is expressed in oscillations in seconds.
Measurement of the maximum frequency of movements (tapping test). This method allows you to judge a person's ability to mobilize, which is to some extent determined by his mental state.
The athlete is asked to “tap” on the telegraph key or the contact pad of the tremometer with a probe at the maximum pace for 15 or 30 seconds. The frequency of movements is recorded using an electric pulse counter. The measurement is carried out twice - in background conditions and immediately before starting. An increase in the maximum pace (beats/min) by more than 3-5% is an indicator of mobilization readiness, optimal stress. The athlete’s inability to achieve the background result in the tapping test in competition conditions is regarded as an indicator of an excitatory form of stress (a drop in pace of no more than 5-7% relative to the background) or as a manifestation of an inhibitory form (deterioration by more than 8-10%).
The following modification of this test can be used to assess the athlete’s mental state. The athlete is asked to perform the task not at the fastest possible pace, but at a pace convenient for him (also twice - in normal and competitive conditions). Acceleration of the usual pace convenient for the athlete before the start in relation to the background is an indicator of increased neuropsychic tension.
In cases where there is no specially made device, you can use a sheet of paper and a sharply sharpened pencil. Six squares measuring 3 x 3 cm are drawn. each. On command, the athlete, taking a pencil in his hand, must strike at an extremely fast pace, sequentially from the 1st to the 6th square (5 s. in one square), without taking his forearm off the support (after 5 s. on the command "Hop!" they move from one square to another). The total number of dots left in all squares will be an indicator of the tapping speed.
Measurement of maximum muscle effort (dynamometry). This method, like the previous one, allows you to judge the athlete's ability to mobilize his strength. The procedure is simple - the athlete is offered to squeeze the wrist dynamometer as hard as possible with the leading hand. If before the start it exceeds the background measurements by 2-4 kg, this is considered an indicator of optimal condition. A slight change in both directions (0.5-2.0 kg) or repetition of background data indicates excessive disturbance, a significant decrease (more than 3-4 kg) determines a tendency to inhibition.
Measurement of dosed muscle effort. With the help of this method, one can judge the ability to control one's muscular and motor sense. The procedure is quite simple: after squeezing with maximum force of a hand dynamometer, the athlete is offered to squeeze it at half strength (50% of maximum effort). In a normal state, this error, as a rule, goes in one direction (+ or -) and is no more than 0.5-1 kg in highly qualified athletes. If before the start this error decreases or changes towards an increase of half the maximum effort (no more than 3-5 kg), this indicates a slight increase in neuropsychic tension. An increase in the error to 70-80% of the maximum indicates a pronounced violation. A change in the error towards a decrease (to 30-35% of the maximum) is an indicator of the emerging inhibition.
Assessment of short time intervals. This method determines the ability of subjective time counting, which, as is known, under the influence of increased disturbance, shows a tendency to its underestimation (shortening), and with the development of the inhibition process - to overestimation (lengthening). Experience procedure: the athlete is offered, without looking at the stopwatch, to estimate the time interval equal to 10 s as accurately as possible. Since the magnitude and direction of the error are purely individual for each athlete, an indicator of the mental state is a change in the estimate of time before the start compared to the background. Shortening the usual estimate of this interval within 0.5-1.5 s. is a sign of optimal neuropsychic tension. Shortening the subjective perception of time by more than 1.5-2.0 s. compared to the background indicates its excessive level, overestimation (extension of subjective perception) of time by more than 1.5-2.0 s. indicates a developing process, braking.
Self-assessment of the athlete's states is determined using the "thermometer" of states proposed by Yu.Ya. Kiselyov. The "thermometer" is a scale consisting of 10 divisions or 100 divisions (in this case, you can immediately identify percentages).
The athlete is presented with this scale, on which he must assess the level of the state that he is experiencing at this moment. The following indicators are measured:
1) well-being;
2) mood;
3) desire to train;
4) satisfaction with the training process;
5) relationships with friends;
6) relationships with the coach;
7) sports prospects (for this competition);
8) readiness for the competition.
The test takes a minimum of time, and with its help you can measure any moment, as well as any component or complex of components of the pre-start, competitive and post-competitive state.
Bioelectropotentiometry (BEP). The device "biometer" is used, the basis of which is a typical milliammeter with scales 0-100, 0-150, 0-200. The terminals of the device are connected to sensors made of different metals (one rod is aluminum, the other is copper). The device starts working when the athlete, having taken the sensor in his hand, closes the circuit and creates a potential difference in a closed circuit, which is recorded in relative units. BEP characterizes the level of motivation of the vegetative systems of the body, which depends on emotional arousal and activity.
The dynamics of BEP reflects emotional lability or stability. If the ratio between the minimum and maximum BEP indicators is within 0.85 - 1, then we can talk about a state of emotional stability, if below 0.65 - about emotional reactivity.
Mental states with repeated occurrence can acquire a stable character and are restored when the same or similar conditions of life and activity are repeated, as well as changes in the internal environment of the body, which they were originally caused by.
It is worth noting that in determining and analyzing mental readiness for competition, in diagnosing gaps in this state, in clarifying their etiology, the main role belongs to the psychologist. But when it comes to ways and means of psychological preparation for competition, about ways and means of overcoming gaps in the mental readiness of athletes, the coach occupies a prominent position.