The Relationship Between Stress and Coping in Table Tennis

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between cognitive competitive anxiety intensity and coping strategies in table tennis players. One hundred and two (102) US competitive table tennis players of age range from 10 to 60 filled out a Revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2R, Cox et al., 2003) at least 30 minutes before the start of their tournament match and a Modified Cope questionnaire (MCOPE; Crocker and Graham,1995) 15 minutes after they finished their match. Our study found significant differences between low and high cognitive competitive anxiety groups with regard to the use of coping strategies. The high cognitive competitive anxiety intensity group used significantly more behavioral disengagement (avoidance coping, p ≤ 0.05), denial coping strategies(emotion focused coping, p ≤ 0.01) compared to the low cognitive anxiety intensity group. Our results suggest that there is some connection between anxiety intensity and coping strategies. If the cognitive anxiety intensity (for example, intensity from worrying) is very high, an athlete might be more likely to use avoidance coping (such as behavioral disengagement) and emotion-focused coping (such as denial and venting of emotions) compared to athletes who have low cognitive competitive anxiety. Furthermore, gender differences in cognitive anxiety and direction were found. Confidence management techniques such as positive self-talk, breathing techniques and visualization should be taught to athletes to assist them in coping with their competitive anxiety better and to enhance their performance

Excelling in Sport Psychology Planning, Preparing, and Executing Applied Work [1st Edition]

Written for graduate students and early professionals who are conducting applied sport psychology work for the first time, Excelling in Sport Psychology is a guide for planning, preparing, and executing this work. Each chapter addresses a critical component of the internship experience, such as selecting a site for an internship, preparing to begin the work, evaluating the completed work, and marketing oneself throughout one’s early career. The diverse experiences of the various authors provide a range of viewpoints for trainees to consider and apply to their growth as sport psychology or mental skills professionals. The text is written in a practical manner, with suggestions and questions that will drive this personal and professional growth. Each chapter also includes a personal account from a current student or recent graduate about their experience in that area. This book will appeal to students in academic sport psychology programs seeking additional support and guidance about the internship process, as well as post-graduates who did not have an internship component to their program. Supervisors will benefit from reading the book as it highlights ways to work with trainees. Drawn from the experience of the applied Sport Psychology department at John F. Kennedy University, which has helped students set up internships, have successful experiences, and attain jobs for over 25 years, this book can provide a model for training programs approaching the challenges of fieldwork. - publisher\u27s description-https://scholar.dominican.edu/faculty-authored-books/1013/thumbnail.jp

Pursuing Applied Work: Are You Ready?

Written for graduate students and early professionals who are conducting applied sport psychology work for the first time, Excelling in Sport Psychology is a guide for planning, preparing, and executing this work. Each chapter addresses a critical component of the internship experience, such as selecting a site for an internship, preparing to begin the work, evaluating the completed work, and marketing oneself throughout one’s early career. The diverse experiences of the various authors provide a range of viewpoints for trainees to consider and apply to their growth as sport psychology or mental skills professionals. The text is written in a practical manner, with suggestions and questions that will drive this personal and professional growth. Each chapter also includes a personal account from a current student or recent graduate about their experience in that area. This book will appeal to students in academic sport psychology programs seeking additional support and guidance about the internship process, as well as post-graduates who did not have an internship component to their program. Supervisors will benefit from reading the book as it highlights ways to work with trainees. Drawn from the experience of the applied Sport Psychology department at John F. Kennedy University, which has helped students set up internships, have successful experiences, and attain jobs for over 25 years, this book can provide a model for training programs approaching the challenges of fieldwork. -publisher\u27s description-https://scholar.dominican.edu/faculty-authored-book-contributions/1009/thumbnail.jp

The Reflective Sport and Exercise Science Practitioner

The development of reflective practitioners within the sport and exercise sciences and allied disciplines has started to gain prominence in discussions surrounding education, training, and practice in these fields. However, while the principles associated with doing reflective practice are becoming more widely discussed in the sport and exercise literature, debate concerning what it means to be a reflective practitioner remains limited. This has perhaps resulted in ongoing conceptual and applied considerations relating to the nature and importance of reflective practice, often leading to the promotion of, and engagement in, reflection that is overly technical, restricted, and compliant. Drawing on the perspectives of those who have contributed to this text, in this chapter we (editorial team) present a series of vignettes that offer accounts of what it means to be a reflective practitioner. In doing so, our aim is to allow the reader to immerse themselves within the contributors’ own experiences, perspectives and developmental journeys. Finally, we offer our own analytical summary of the contributors’ vignettes to draw together some of the common ideas and themes concerning the attitudes, skills, perspectives, and philosophy required by the reflective practitioner