The problem of studying the pre-start conditions of athletes and coaches is closely related, relevant and quite extensive. In this regard, the purpose of our study was to study the features of pre-start conditions of ski racing coaches.
Methods and principles of research
The survey was attended by 45 cross-country skiing coaches. The age of the respondents was 20 to 60 years (average age 45 years), of which 18 were women (aged 19 to 48 years, average age 33 years) and 27 were men (aged 34 to 60 years, average age 48 years). The majority of coaches have the highest qualification category - 70%; with the first coaching category - 22% of respondents, with the second - 4% and without the category - 4%.
Main results
The results of the study showed that about 60% of the trainers of trainers experience anxiety before the start. At the same time, the greatest excitement of the coaches is observed at higher level competitions. It was found that women are more resistant to stressful competitive activities, as only 45% of them report excitement, and 55% say it is absent. In the group of men 65% experience stress, and 35% are calm about the competition. Probably, such distinctions are received in connection with age features of our sample, however in group of men the connection between age and excitement before start is not established.
The pre-start excitement of coaches is influenced by the style of movement of athletes during the competition. We found that 55% of coaches experience more excitement in classical style competitions, and only 15% - in free style, for 30% of respondents, the style of movement does not matter on the degree of excitement.
The results can be explained by the great difficulties in preparing skis for classical style competitions, namely, the application of holding ointments. However, the study of the factors causing the coaches' anxiety to increase shows that the coaches are most worried about the physical condition of their athletes (40%), the second and third factors are the weather (22%) and lubrication (18%), respectively. Fear of equipment failure (12%) and tactical issues (4%) are less worrying for coaches.
The level of pre-start anxiety of the coach also depends on the type of competition program. In the general group of coaches, relay races (32%) cause the greatest anxiety, sprint races worry 22% of coaches, for 16% of the surveyed program does not affect the degree of anxiety. Coaches are less worried about marathons and individual races (12% each), and only 6% are more worried about skiathlon.
We did not find any significant difference in the answers to this question when analyzing them separately in the group of men or women. However, there are some differences in the answers received by age group.
Thus, in the group of coaches of younger age for 38% of respondents the most exciting program is the sprint:
- for 30% - relay race;
- for 16% of mentors the marathon is more disturbing;
- for the same number (16%) - the format of the competition does not matter on the degree of excitement.
The conducted survey showed that 28% of the coaches in the general group of coaches noted an increase in fussiness, while 24% of the respondents changed their behavior towards excessive care of athletes with excessive anxiety. Quite a large number of coaches - 32% turn into a negative aggressive state, which is expressed in 18% in shouting at the athletes, and in 14% in anger at their wards. Only 8% of mentors note a depressed state: apathy or self-care.
In the group of more experienced coaches, the relay race is the most exciting for 50% of the respondents:
- for 20% - the type of program does not affect the degree of excitement;
- 10% of the respondents have more excitement during the sprint, individual race and marathon.
In the group of coaches under 45 years of age, 36% of those surveyed, if there is excessive anxiety, note a high level of care for the athlete. Quite a large percentage (40%) of mentors of this age in a stressful situation occupy an aggressive position in relation to the athlete: in 30% it is expressed in shouting, and in 10% in anger at them.
18% of coaches note an increase in fussiness, and only 6% fall into apathy. In the group of coaches older than 45 years old - 35% of respondents notice an increase in fussiness, 25% note the appearance of apathy, 15% start to overprotect the athletes, 25% increase aggression against athletes, expressed in 15% in shouting and 10% in anger at them. The data obtained on this issue are consistent with the results of the research by A.N. Vardanyan and his co-authors, who emphasize that coaches with little experience are more aggressive. At the same time, they show aggression both verbally and physically.
The formation of mental states of the trainer is conditioned by a number of peculiarities of professional activity:
- field work;
- isolation from home and family;
- long waiting time for the results;
- frequency of ups and downs.
Also significant factors are the level of ambitions, the environment and rank of competition, the presence of strong competitors, experience, individual and typological features of the individual.
The resulting conclusions allow us to formulate some recommendations, which, in our opinion, allow us to reduce the degree of negative pre-start manifestations in the coaches of cross-country skiing.
Increased knowledge of ski preparation, lubrication options and clearer technology of ointment selection can reduce anxiety during competitions, first of all, by classical style.
It is necessary to raise the level of knowledge about the influence of the coaches' psychological state on the results of the athletes' competitive activity, as well as about the methods of the athletes' psychological preparation.
In order to reduce the severity of adverse conditions with increased anxiety, special training should be conducted. At the same time, their orientation in men and women will have to be somewhat different - practicing the mechanisms of reducing vanity for men and reducing the level of communicative aggression (shouting) for women and coaches of young age.