Comparative analysis of aerobic gymnastics and gymnastics competitors based on a test of performance strategy (TOPS)

Abstract

The aim of the paper was to study aerobic gymnastics and gymnastics competitors parallel with a psychological skills point of view. Groups of adult elite female competitors in Aerobic Gymnastics (n=36) and Gymnastics (n=43) were compared in this study. The applied mechanism was the Test of Performance Strategy (TOPS), which was adapted to the Hungarian language (see Kalmar et al., 2015). The hypothesis was formulated that there are significant differences between the two samples as far as the differences between the two sports and the specific adaptations of their psychological skills are concerned. The statistical analysis resulted in a presentation of these differences. The main characteristics of the aerobics competitor sample are the use of wide-range automaticity to which a high value of relaxation is attached in the trainings (practice). Movements executed together with the same rhythm of music well serves this purpose. The values of emotional control are low, and negative thinking during the competitions is frequent. The high level of goal-setting, the frequent imagery and the application of self-talk are characteristics for the gymnastics sample. At the competition, emotional control and, during the training, concentration is high. It can be seen that the individual character of gymnastics favours the formation of these variables. The differences between the training (practice) and competition were also investigated in each sample. Fewer variables increased or decreased in aerobic gymnastics (in two cases) than in gymnastics (in five cases) during the competition compared to training. The dynamic changes in skills also show the differences between the two sports.