Prevalence of Psychological Traits of Overtraining amongst Elite Male Field Hockey and Soccer Players in Top National Leagues in Kenya
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Date
2019-05
Authors
Ndambiri, Richard Karani
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The literature supports that overtraining is characterised by psychological
disturbances. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of psychological
markers of overtraining amongst elite male hockey and soccer players in top national
leagues in Kenya. The study was limited to selected mood states of anger, confusion,
depression, fatigue, tension and vigour that are applicable when assessing the mood
states of athletes in exercise settings. Association between mood states of elite male
hockey and soccer players and demographic characteristics of type of sport, age
category, playing experience, playing position and starting status were also examined.
The study hypothesized that there is no significant difference in players’ demographic
characteristics of type of sport, age, level of experience, playing position and starting
status on the mood states of anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, tension and vigour
among elite male hockey and soccer players in the Kenyan top National leagues. The
study provided information on markers of overtraining amongst elite male hockey and
soccer players in Kenyan top National leagues. There is paucity of literature regarding
overtraining in Kenya and thus a gap exists in establishing the prevalence of
psychological markers of overtraining amongst elite male field hockey and soccer
players in top national leagues. The target population for the study comprised elite
male hockey and soccer players in top national leagues in Kenya. In both groups
(hockey and soccer), a total of 324 participants (162 hockey players and 162 soccer
players) were sampled through stratified random sampling at the beginning of the
league (pre-test). A total of 232 participants (116 hockey players and 116 soccer
players) were included in the study resulting into response rate of 71.6%. The
research adopted quasi- experimental research design. The research adopted the
standard version of the Profile of Mood State questionnaire (POMS). Data were coded
and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22.0). T-test
was used to determine whether there was any significant difference between the mood
state profiles of hockey and soccer players and between starters and substitute players.
One-Way ANOVA was used to test the data relating to age, playing experience and
playing position and the subscales of overtraining at a significance level of P≤ 0.05.
Results indicated that the two groups (elite male hockey and soccer players) differed
significantly as far as mood state profiles were concerned. Also, the results indicated
that in hockey, there was a significant difference in change in tension between players
in 1-3 years’ level of playing experience and those who were in the 7-9 years’ level of
experience. In addition, results revealed that there was a significant difference
between defender and attacker positions with regards to change in fatigue in soccer.
The results further showed that there were no significant differences in the mood state
profiles among players in varying age groups, playing experience and starters and
substitute players of hockey and soccer players. In conclusion, the study revealed that
psychological markers of overtraining were prevalent among elite male hockey and
soccer players unlike on the demographic characteristic of age, level of experience,
playing position and starting status. The study therefore recommended that there is
need for coaches and other stakeholders to assess their players’ mood states during the
season, examine players’ mood states in different experience levels as well as
investigate players’ mood states in different playing positions. The study makes
recommendations for policy, practice and further research.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Education in the School of Public Health and Applied Human Sciences of Kenyatta University