Linking Environment And Mind: Effects Of Psychological Skill Training On Hockey Performance

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of PST on self-talk, imagery ability, mental toughness, and related performance variables of university hockey players. The research followed a quasi-experimental design where thirty-two male hockey players of age ranging from 25-30 years completed the Automatic Self-Talk Questionnaire (ASTQ), Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire (SIAQ), Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), and the Sports Performance Scale prior to and following the completion of the structured PST programme. The PST group underwent PST interventions self-talk, imagery and mental toughness, while the control group underwent no intervention. The results indicated that the experimental group, compared to the control group, gained more psychological benefits post-intervention on all psychological measures and with largest effect sizes (Cohen’s d = 3.4 for self-talk, 3.67 for mental toughness). whereas, within the control group, there were no meaningful changes. Bivariate correlational analyses also showed mental toughness, ability to visualize, self-talk and performance had strong positive relationships. These findings support PST in the improvement of psychological skills and performance, which serves as a foundation for the practice of mental training in the systems for athlete development.