Effects of an Intercollegiate Sport Season on Selected Personality Traits and Mental Preparation Skills

Abstract

This study investigated changes in five personality traits and the use of mental preparation skills by college athletes over the course of a sport season. The traits measured included achievement motivation, competitive trait anxiety, concentration, leadership, and trait self-confidence. The mental preparation skills included imagery, stress management, goal-setting, psychic energy management, and attention. A self-evaluation questionnaire was administered to Fall and Winter intercollegiate athletes at the State University of New York, College at Brockport. The participating male athletic teams included soccer, football, basketball, ice hockey, cross-country, and wrestling. The participating female athletic teams included soccer, field hockey, gymnastics, volleyball, basketball, cross-country, and tennis. The purpose of the investigation was to determine if the personality traits and mental preparation skills of athletes change over the course of a sport season. It was found that five of the six personality traits and the mental preparation skills did not change. Competitive trait anxiety was the only variable that significantly changed from pre- to post-season.