SOURCES OF STRESS AND COPING STRATIGES AMONG SEMI-PROFESSIONALRUGBY UNION HOOKERS DURING TRAINING AND A COMPETITIVE ENVIROMENT
Author
Thomas, Joshua
Date
2014Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The purpose of this present study was to identify stressors and coping strategies semiprofessional
male hookers experience within training, conditioning and match performances and
what affect they have on their performance. A qualitative research design was adopted in the form
of semi-structured interviews with four semi-professions rugby players who regularly train more
than twice a week and play competitively more than once a week. This method enabled the
researcher to obtain in depth information about the stressors that affect them within three different
training environments (training, conditioning, competition). Inductive and deductive data analysis
identified 37 stressors and 37 coping methods within all three training environments. Analysis was
then broken down into the separate performing environments; starting with a normal training
environment, 10 stressors and 9 coping methods were identified. Within a conditioning
environment 9 stressors and 9 coping methods were identified and within a match performance,
16 stressors and 15 coping methods were identified. The most common stressors identified were
same position performing well, injury, tiredness, bad weather, opposition performing well, making
physical error and scrummaging. The most commonly used coping methods across all three
environments was mental block, self-talk and self-reassurance. The results of this study also found
differences in types of coping strategies within different performing environments. Identifying a
more problem focused coping approach adopted within training and conditioning environments
and a more emotional focused coping approach adopted within a competition environment. The
findings of this study can improve performance by enabling players, coaches and sports
psychologists to implement specific coping strategies which were deemed as the most affective
within specific performing environments, in order to reduce the effects of stressful demands
related to the position hooker within rugby union.
Description
DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS)
SPORT AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
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