Cognitive and emotional profile of players from the Spanish National Volleyball u-14 and u-16 Championship, 2013

Abstract

The aim of the study was to develop a cognitive and emotional profile of athletes in training categories with a high level of performance. Data were obtained from 503 players from the Spanish Championship of Regional Teams U-14 and U-16 categories, aged between 12 and 16 years (M: 14.68, SD: 1.09). Motivation, basic psychological needs, anxiety, perceived ability, flow, perceived performance and procedural knowledge were developed through previously validated questionnaires. For accessing to decision-making and performance, the systematic observation of game actions was performed. The results showed high values of intrinsic motivation, competence and social relationships, self-confidence, and incremental perception of ability; and low levels of autonomy and perceived performance. Athletes showed 58% of right decisions, while 58.84% in procedural knowledge questionnaire and 1.94 in performance. These data, extended to coaches, will allow the optimization of sport talent selection and will guide the cognitive-emotional process of players training.