Impact of Psychological Variables on Playing Ability of University Level Soccer Players

Changes After a Conventional vs. an Alternative Therapy Program on Physical, Psychological, and Injury-Related Parameters in Male Youth Soccer Players With Patellar Tendinopathy During Return to Competition

“…Especially, players with PT and low psychological readiness in return to sports showed a lower score in the assessment of psychological performance variables (38). Finally, Tufekcioglu et al (42) showed a significantly higher playing ability in youth soccer players with high achievement motivation compared with players with a lower score in this factor. From the lower scores for “fear of failure” in our results, related to the aforementioned findings, we conclude that athletes in the ALT therapy program felt better prepared for their return to sport and were therefore more confident in their own movement abilities and toughness during competition.…”

“…Current literature suggests that psychological variables, in particular confidence and achievement motivation, should always find consideration in a successful return-to-sports process after an athletic injury (31). Even more, sources of confidence information, observational experiences, and confidence restoration need to be addressed as soon as possible after an injury and are significantly related to a successful outcome of treatment (42). In particular, a recent study by Slagers et al (38) showed that in players with PT, higher scores on psychological readiness and confidence at return to competition were significantly associated with higher scores on the VISA pain scale and therefore less severe symptoms.…”