Volume 11, Issue 1 (volume 11, issue 1, June 2017 2017)                   2017, 11(1): 62-73 | Back to browse issues page


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1- university of Tehran
2- university of Tehran , amir_sport89@yahoo.com
3- Islamic azad univerity-Karaj branch
Abstract:   (6478 Views)

The aim of this study was to compare effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation and mental imagery-based relaxation on psychophysiological responses of competitive anxiety (cortisol levels) and self-confidence in elite athletes. For this purpose, 36 of elite Wushu athletes selected and randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group. In the pre-test (first competition) competitive anxiety and self-confidence as well as salivary cortisol were measured in all three groups. In experimental groups, relaxation techniques was trained for 4 weeks. Data with univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were analyzed. The results showed that progressive muscle relaxation was more effective than mental imagery-based relaxation in decreasing saliva cortisol and somatic anxiety. Also, mental imagery-based relaxation was more effective on the cognitive anxiety rather than progressive muscle relaxation. In addition, self-confidence was increased after mental imagery-based relaxation. In general, it could be concluded that different types of relaxation training was an effective strategy to reduce psychophysiological responses of competitive anxiety and improve self-confidence.

     
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2016/12/14 | Accepted: 2017/06/21 | Published: 2017/06/21

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