Psychological Comfort and Its Relationship with the Performance Level of Some Throwing Skills Among Youth Wrestlers in the Greco-Roman Style Aged 17-19 Years

Abstract

The aim of this research is to understand the psychological comfort of young Greco-Roman wrestlers aged 17-19, to assess the skill performance level of the research sample in the investigated skills, and to analyze the relationship between psychological comfort and skill performance among these wrestlers. The researcher hypothesized the existence of statistically significant differences in psychological comfort between members of the control and experimental groups in both pre- and post-tests, favoring the experimental group. Additionally, the researcher anticipated statistically significant differences in skill performance between the research sample of the control and experimental groups in the pre- and post-tests, again favoring the experimental group. There is also a statistically significant correlation between psychological comfort and skill performance among the research sample. Differences were found in the dimensions of psychological comfort between the research sample members of the control and experimental groups, favorable to the experimental group. The researcher used a descriptive correlation methodology suitable for the nature of the problem. The research sample consists of 14 wrestlers from each of the six selected teams, all aged 17-19, who are part of the research community of wrestling clubs in Baghdad participating in the Iraqi Wrestling Championship, totaling 200 wrestlers. This represents 42% of the research community. Psychological and skill tests were conducted, along with statistical analyses, and the results were discussed. The researcher concluded that psychological resilience plays a significant role in skill performance. The psychological comfort scale has a major role in the quick responses to its items. The researcher recommends relying on psychological tests as a basis for developing training programs that enhance skill performance in Greco-Roman wrestling. Focus should be placed on incorporating psychological measures, particularly psychological comfort, and training wrestlers on these measures to identify the challenges they face and find necessary solutions. Activating the role of psychological variables, including psychological comfort, aims to improve the performance of throwing holds (lifting) in Greco-Roman wrestling. Furthermore, the researcher advocates creating measures for other samples and individual and team sports for both genders to benefit the sport and the athletes.