The psychological skills and their relationship to cognitive achievement of basic skills in rhythmic gymnastics

Abstract

The information that a student or athlete acquires is the basis on which their progress in practical skills is built and applied effectively. The need to focus on other complementary and effective elements for both the coach and the teacher has emerged. One of the most important of these elements is the psychological mobilization methods using mental abilities and dealing with them as sports skills that the athlete must possess in order to improve and develop their level. The aim of the research was to measure the psychological and cognitive skills of basic skills in rhythmic gymnastics, and to identify the relationship between psychological and cognitive skills of basic skills in rhythmic gymnastics. The researcher used the descriptive method and the research sample consisted of second-year female students at the College of Physical Education and Sports Science / Al-Mustansiriya University, totaling (64) students for the academic year 2022-2023, from December 15, 2022 to January 29, 2023. Based on the results that appeared, the researcher concluded that psychological skills have mental abilities that affect the level of cognitive achievement in rhythmic gymnastics. There are different levels of differences among the research sample of female students in mental skills such as mental imagery, attentional focus, and anxiety, while no significant differences were found in other psychological skills. The researcher recommended working on developing and enhancing psychological skills through continuous education and psychological preparation of students in various sports, including rhythmic gymnastics, and emphasizing the importance of psychological mobilization in the level of sports performance and achievement through guidance, training, and development courses organized by sports federations for coaches and teachers alike.