M.S. Iskhak¹
Dr. Hab., Professor V.G. Shilko^1
1National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk

Keywords: mental conditioning, mental fitness, tennis players, competitive performance.

Background. Modern sports progress analysis shows that due institutional and practical sporting lifestyle encouragement provisions for young population groups are critical for national success on the global sports arenas; with the modern tennis being no exclusion. In 2005, the Russian Tennis Federation revised the age classes for the Russian Tennis Tour to replace the 10-12 year old class with a 10-minus year old class [3]; and the tennis coaches had to revise the beginner group training systems correspondingly for the earlier competitive progress goals. Theoretical analysis of the modern beginner theoretical and practical training systems showed that they still assign too short time for the pre-season mental conditioning tools due to the traditionally little attention paid to these issues.

Objective of the study was to theoretically substantiate and test practical benefits of a new pre-season mental conditioning model for the 8-9 year old tennis players.

Methods and structure of the study. We sampled the 8-9 year old trainees of the Siberian Tennis Center (n=20) for the mental conditioning model testing experiment and split them up into Experimental and Reference Groups (EG, RG). The EG training was complemented by theoretical and practical mental conditioning model of our design; and RG was trained in the traditional system with standard mental conditioning elements. The experimental mental conditioning model included 18 hours of lectures and practices in the following subjects: performance visualizing techniques; pre-season behavioral control; relaxing and activating techniques; positive controlled thinking during matches; competitive mental fitness; and target mental qualities [1, 3]. The group mental fitness was tested by the pre- and post-experimental tests. Note that the intergroup differences of the pre-experimental test data were insignificant (p> 0.05).

Results and discussion. The post-experimental state and trait anxiety test rates yielded by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) tests showed significant progress of the EG versus RG (p <0.05): see Figure 1.

Figure 1. Post-experimental group anxiety test averages: Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) tests

*р<0.05

The post-experimental state and trait anxiety test rates in the EG were significantly lower than in the RG – due to the fact that the EG successfully mastered the mental conditioning tools to mitigate anxiety and get fit for competitive stressors. The post-experimental state anxiety averages in the EG varied around the moderate level (with a low level rated by 30 points); whilst the trait anxiety rates were slightly higher than state anxiety (see Fig. 1), although still significantly lower than the pre-experimental ones – 31-44 points versus 45 points, respectively – that is indicative of a good progress [1]. The RG was tested with virtually no variations on the state and trait anxiety test scales: both of the test rates remained high due to the still limited pre-season mental conditioning trainings.

The Frester Stress Symptom Test found significant (p <0.05) EG vs. RG differences in responses to the following stressors: high pressure; past competitive failure; past loss to the upcoming adversary; and hostile crowd: see Figure 2.

Figure 2. Post-experimental group averages in the Frester Stress Symptom Test

*р<0.05

The study data and analyses showed benefits of the new mental conditioning model for emotional control in matches – with special benefits from the visualization techniques including the ‘post-match errors clean-up’ method to help the young players feel refreshed, focused and fit for every next match. The special post-match behavioral control techniques were found to improve the mental conditioning and analyses prior to, during and after the matches to help the players fairly rate own success and failures versus strengths and weaknesses of the opponents.

 Of special interest was the ‘hostile crowd’ stressor ranked equally high by both groups, although the EG still was still significantly lower (p <0.05) on this scale versus the RG. Knowing the high sensitivity on the young tennis players to this stressor, we would recommend giving a special attention to the relevant mental conditioning tools including trainings with a wide variety of auditory, visual, tactile and other distracters to improve the athletes’ adaptability to unexpected competitive situations.

Figure 3. Post-experimental emotional control test averages of the EG and RG: Y.Y. Kiselev Thermometer Test

*р<0.05

Average emotional control test rates of the EG and RG were found significantly (p <0.05) different, particularly on the Competitive Fitness scale (see Figure 3), with the EG tested close to the maximal 10 points i.e. highly fit in contrast to the RG. The post-experimental Y.Y. Kiselev Thermometer Tests found the EG vs. RG differences statistically insignificant (p> 0.05) on most of the peer/ coach relationships rating scales – that may be interpreted as indicative of a good team spirit at the Siberian Tennis Center and high respect to the coaches from the young athletes and their families.

Conclusion. The study data and analyses showed benefits of the new pre-season mental conditioning model for the 8-9 year old tennis players as verified by the model testing experiment at the Siberian Tennis Center in Tomsk. The new mental conditioning model may be recommended for application in the national sport schools that offer youth tennis training services for pre-season mental conditioning and competitive progress.

References

1. Kovaleva M.S., Inozemtseva E.S., Shilko V.G. Mental conditioning of junior tennis players aged 8-9 years for competitions in educational process. Physical culture, health care and education. Proc. XIII International research-practical conference in memory of V.S. Pirussky. E.Yu. Dyakova [ed.]. Tomsk: STT publ., 2019. pp. 317-321.
2. Crespo M., Reid M., Quinn A. Psychology in Tennis: Practical Exercise and Contemporary Research. ITF, 2016.
3. Regulations of the Russian tennis tour for 2018 [Electronic resource]. Available at: http://www.tennis-russia.ru/public/content/files/param_50/E53p6XJHPR78UkUSY17Pqg3vMe5Dni22.pdf (Date of access: 15.06.20).

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Abstract

Objective of the study was to theoretically substantiate and test practical benefits of a new pre-season mental conditioning model for the 8-9 year old tennis players.

Methods and structure of the study. We sampled the 8-9 year old trainees of the Siberian Tennis Center (n=20) for the mental conditioning model testing experiment and split them up into Experimental and Reference Groups (EG, RG). The EG training was complemented by theoretical and practical mental conditioning model of our design; and RG was trained in the traditional system with standard mental conditioning elements. The experimental mental conditioning model included 18 hours of lectures and practices in the following subjects: performance visualizing techniques; pre-season behavioral control; relaxing and activating techniques; positive controlled thinking during matches; competitive mental fitness; and target mental qualities [1, 3]. The group mental fitness was tested by the pre- and post-experimental tests. Note that the intergroup differences of the pre-experimental test data were insignificant (p> 0.05).

Results and conclusions. The study data and analyses showed benefits of the new pre-season mental conditioning model for the 8-9 year old tennis players as verified by the model testing experiment at the Siberian Tennis Center in Tomsk. The new mental conditioning model may be recommended for application in the national sport schools that offer youth tennis training services for pre-season mental conditioning and competitive progress.