Document Type : Original Research
Authors
1
Ph.D. Student, Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Associate Professor, Department of Clinical and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3
Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Social Sciences, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to compare executive functions, sports self-regulation, and mental imagery in athletes (Open and Closed Sports) based on by moderating personality (introversion/extroversion).
Methods: The research method was retrospective. The statistical population included professional athletes of open and closed nature (history of participation in Asian, world, and international competitions) in Tehran in 2023. The sample size was 180 people, using convenience sampling. The research tools included the Executive Function Scale of Adult Form by Roth et al. (2005), Ryan and Kennell's Sports Self-Regulation (1989), Hall et al.'s Mental imagery (1998), and Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire (1965). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and logistic regression.
Results: The findings showed significant differences between open-skill and closed-skill athletes in the mean scores of all three variables, namely executive functions, sport self-regulation, and sport imagery. The group means indicated that open-skill athletes obtained higher mean scores than closed-skill athletes on executive functions, sport self-regulation, and sport imagery. In addition, the moderation analysis revealed that introverted personality moderated the relationships of executive functions, self-regulation, and sport imagery with participation in open-skill sports.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, it is recommended that intervention programs for closed-skill athletes be designed and implemented with an emphasis on enhancing executive functions, sport self-regulation, and sport imagery. Furthermore, to increase the effectiveness of psychological interventions, attention to athletes’ personality traits—particularly introversion—is recommended in the design of training and psychological programs.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)