Psychological service model for skilled boxers

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PhD D.A. Osipov1
Postgraduate F.A. Gatin1
Dr. Hab., Professor I.S. Kolesnik1
1Ulyanovsk State Pedagogical University named after I.N. Ulyanov, Ulyanovsk

Keywords: boxing sport, sports training, psychological service.

Background. Modern elite sports training and competitive systems, particularly the elite ones, give a growing priority to high-quality psychological service albeit the national boxing community still tends to underestimate the importance of an individualized special psychological service sensitive to personality traits and progress needs. Individual mental activity, mental control and functional motility are known to be genetically predetermined. Mental stresses in modern boxing sport are extremely high due to the sport-specific challenges, fight situations, powerful punches, high risks of injuries, and special concentration and attention control required for success. These challenges require special individualized psychological service for competitive progress.

Objective of the study was to test benefits of an experimental psychological-service-prioritizing training model for skilled boxers.

Methods and structure of the study. We used the following psychological service tools in the experimental psychological-service-prioritizing training model:

- Distract the fighter's thoughts from challenges of the upcoming fight with a skilled opponent, and focus them on own strengths;

- Make sure the fighter is perfectly fit for the match in the response speed, punching power, movement coordination and other qualities; and fully relying on his experience, competitive power and success record;

- Good emotional/ mental conditioning sessions with vivid metaphors like “your muscles are springs-strong, just hit the target and win”;

- Efficient inspirational statements from the coaches like “we can!”, “you are fit!”, “stop fearing the foe – he fears you more”;

- Modern self-suggestion training elements;

- Special focus on the fast decision-making in attacks, counterattacks, defenses, distance controls, etc;

- Strong reliance on own fitness and superiority;

- Strong affirmations like "non but the brave deserves the fair!"

Benefits of the new psychological-service-prioritizing training model were tested on a sample of 15-17 -year-old Class I-II boxers (n=28) from the Youth Olympic Reserve Sport School in Ulyanovsk. The sample was split up into Experimental and Reference Groups (EG, RG) of 14 people each. Individual physical fitness prior to the experiment was tested by the 30m sprint; 100m sprint; 3000m race; standing long jump; right/left hand shot put (4kg); and pull-ups tests. Technical fitness was tested by the reps of accurate power punches landed and eaten; distance control actions and their quality; defense actions and their quality; punch faking actions etc. – rated by a group of top-skilled experienced coaches on a 5-point scale. The pre-experimental physical fitness / technical fitness tests found the EG and RG being insignificantly (р˃0.05) different in both of the aspects.

The RG trainings were compliant with the traditional skills-specific training system recommended by the Boxing Federation of the Russian Federation; and the EG training was complemented by the psychological-service-prioritizing training model. The group physical / technical fitness progresses were tested by the same post-experimental tests.

Results and discussion. The pre- versus post experimental physical fitness tests found progress in both groups, with the EG progress tested significantly higher on every test scale. Thus the 30m sprint test found the RG making progress from 14.53±87min to 14.17±69min (p˃0.05) versus the EG progress from 14.55±1.03min to 13.51±1.12min (p˂0.05). The pre- versus post experimental shot put test data were the following: RG made progress in the right-/ left hand tests from 6.71±0.56m/ 5.83±0.47m to 7.12±0.45m/ 6.93±0.59m (p˃0.05), respectively; versus the EG progress from 6.73±0.61m to 8.21±0.53m (p˂0.05) in the right-hand tests; and progress up to 7.62±0.35m (p˂0.05) in the left-hand test. The group progress was virtually the same in the other physical fitness tests.

The pre- versus post experimental technical fitness tests found the following group progress. Accurate attacking punches per round in the RG were tested to grow from 4.0±0.17 to 6.0±0.21 (p˃0.05); versus the EG progress from 3.0±0.22 to 8.0±0.27 (р˂0.05). On the eaten punches counting scale, the RG made progress from 7.0±0.2 to 5.0±0.17 (p˃0.05); versus the EG progress from 6.0±0.19 to 3.0±0.21 (p˂0.05). In the defense actions counting test, the RG made progress from 11.0±0.24 to 14.0±0.27 (p˃0.05); versus the EG progress from 12.0±1.17 to 19.0± 0.27 (p˂0.05). The group progress was virtually the same in the other technical fitness tests.

Conclusion. The new psychological-service-prioritizing training model for skilled boxers was tested beneficial by the pre- versus post-experimental tests of the EG and RG due to its special focuses on the willpower and moral qualities; self-confidence; determination in the technical and tactical skills excellence trainings; and the precompetitive mental conditioning tools to encourage attacking fight styles, initiative and pressure in every bout.

References

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Corresponding author: ld_nazarenko@mail.ru

Abstract

Objective of the study was to test benefits of an experimental psychological-service-prioritizing training model for skilled boxers.

Methods and structure of the study. Benefits of the new psychological-service-prioritizing training model were tested on a sample of 15-17 -year-old Class I-II boxers (n=28) from the Youth Olympic Reserve Sport School in Ulyanovsk. The sample was split up into Experimental and Reference Groups (EG, RG) of 14 people each. Individual physical fitness prior to the experiment was tested by the 30m sprint; 100m sprint; 3000m race; standing long jump; right/left hand shot put (4kg); and pull-ups tests. Technical fitness was tested by the reps of accurate power punches landed and eaten; distance control actions and their quality; defense actions and their quality; punch faking actions etc. – rated by a group of top-skilled experienced coaches on a 5-point scale.

Results and conclusions. The pre- versus post experimental physical fitness tests found progress in both groups, with the EG progress tested significantly higher on every test scale. Thus the 30m sprint test found the RG making progress from 14.53±87min to 14.17±69min (p˃0.05) versus the EG progress from 14.55±1.03min to 13.51±1.12min (p˂0.05). The pre- versus post experimental shot put test data were the following: RG made progress in the right-/ left hand tests from 6.71±0.56m/ 5.83±0.47m to 7.12±0.45m/ 6.93±0.59m (p˃0.05), respectively; versus the EG progress from 6.73±0.61m to 8.21±0.53m (p˂0.05) in the right-hand tests; and progress up to 7.62±0.35m (p˂0.05) in the left-hand test. The group progress was virtually the same in the other physical fitness tests.

The pre- versus post experimental technical fitness tests found the following group progress. Accurate attacking punches per round in the RG were tested to grow from 4.0±0.17 to 6.0±0.21 (p˃0.05); versus the EG progress from 3.0±0.22 to 8.0±0.27 (р˂0.05). On the eaten punches counting scale, the RG made progress from 7.0±0.2 to 5.0±0.17 (p˃0.05); versus the EG progress from 6.0±0.19 to 3.0±0.21 (p˂0.05). In the defense actions counting test, the RG made progress from 11.0±0.24 to 14.0±0.27 (p˃0.05); versus the EG progress from 12.0±1.17 to 19.0± 0.27 (p˂0.05). The group progress was virtually the same in the other technical fitness tests.