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Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(12): 987-993
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1038679
Behavioural Sciences

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Coping Skills of Olympic Developmental Soccer Athletes

M. C. Meyers1 , C. C. Stewart2 , C. M. Laurent3 , A. D. LeUnes4 , A. E. Bourgeois4
  • 1Sports and Exercise Sciences, West Texas A & M University, Canyon, Texas, United States
  • 2Health & Human Development, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States
  • 3Kinesiology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
  • 4Psychology, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States
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Publication History

accepted after revision April 17, 2008

Publication Date:
11 June 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Athletes at Olympic Developmental Program (ODP) camps experience unusually high levels of expectations and inherent mental and physical challenges within such a short span of time. With the increasing emphasis on talent development, there has been consensus by the ODP staff to more clearly define present levels of coping skills, in order to enhance athletic prediction, maximize training efforts, identify the predisposition to injury, and focus on areas pertinent to successful performance. This study examined athletic and pain coping skills of U. S. ODP soccer athletes not previously investigated. Following written informed consent, 70 males completed the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory and the Sports Inventory for Pain. Data were analyzed by competitive level (U-14, U-15), and skill position (goalkeeper/defense, midfield/foward). MANOVA indicated a significant main effect across competitive level (Wilks' Lambda F 12,57 = 2.27; p = 0.02; n-β = 0.915) but no significant effect by skill position (Wilks' Lambda F 12,57 = 0.931; p = 0.523; n-β = 0.457). Post hoc analyses indicated that U-15 athletes scored significantly higher in concentration (p = 0.01) and body awareness (p = 0.03), but lower in avoidance (p = 0.01) than U-14 competitors. In conclusion, older, more experienced athletes revealed more positive athletic and pain coping skills than younger, less experienced athletes, although athletes in skill positions requiring spontaneous decision-making skills and split-second adjustment in a constantly changing sport environment (forwards, midfielders) did not exhibit more positive athletic and pain coping skills than those positions requiring reaction and protection (defenders, goalkeepers).

Key words

cognitive - youth sports - ACSI - SIP

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Dr. Michael C. Meyers

West Texas A & M University
Sports and Exercise Sciences

Human Performance Research Lab, Dept. SES, WTAMU Box 60 216

Canyon, Texas 79016

United States

Phone: + 1 80 65 70 52 60

Fax: + 1 80 66 51 23 79

Email: mmeyers@mail.wtamu.edu