Evaluation of Goal Setting Training on Selected Cognitions and Performance of Collegiate Swimmers

Martens and Burton have recently developed a comprehensive Psychological Skills Training (PST) program designed to help athletes better reach their competitive potential. One of the most important psychological skills is goal setting. Sport researchers have linked athletes' anxiety, motivation and self confidence problems to inappropriate goals. The problem is most athletes believe winning is the most important goal. But winning is an outcome goal, and outcome goals have two major problems. First, athletes can only partially control winning because external factors often determine who wins and loses. Second, outcome goals lack flexibility and cannot be raised or lowered to make achieving success challenging and realistic. Consequently, outcome goals may cause athletes to become diffident, anxious, or unmotivated, thus preventing them from reaching their competitive potential.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physical Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Burton, Damon Dee

• Education, Physical

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8409878

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/71865