Comparison of Mental Skills of Elite and Non-Elite Athletes

Abstract

The main purpose of this reseach was to compare mental skills of elite and non-elite boys team athletes by Ottawa Questionnare. The reseach study was a descriptive-applied one. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire based on Ottawa questionnare that measured some mental skills factors. The subjects were 40 elite athletes and 40 non-elite athletes that they were randomaly taken up of basketball, volleyball, handball and futsall sport tournaments. T independent test was applied in order to analyze the related data to compare the results at p<0.05 level. The results indicated that the rate of Goal setting, self-confidence, Commitment, Stress reactions, Relaxation, Fear control, Activation, Focusing, Imagery, Competion planning, Mental practice and Refocusing skills is higher in elite athletic boy students in compare to non-elite ones.