The effect of working memory training on working memory capacity and competitive anxiety in adult football players

Document Type : علمی- پژوهشی

Authors

1 Faculty / Islamic Azad University, Yadegar Branch of Imam Khomeini

2 Master of Physical Education and Sports Sciences / Sport Psychology

Abstract

Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of working memory training on working memory capacity and competitive anxiety in adult football players.
Methods: Research method is quasi-experimental and design is pretest – posttest with control group. 24 football player were selected among Arak Aluminum football team players by convenience sampling and randomly assigned into control and experimental groups. After the pre-test, participants in the experimental group performed 25 sessions of working memory exercises. Post- test was performed at the end of all groups. Instruments of gathering data included N-BACK working memory test, competitive - state anxiety tests, and working memory training software. For data analysis, one-way analysis of covariance was used.
Results: The results showed that working memory training resulted in decrease in state anxiety and increase in working memory capacity of football players in experimental groups.
Conclusion: Generally, the use of working memory training as a complement to physical exercise is useful to reducing the anxiety of football players in high-pressure situations.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 November 2019
  • Revise Date: 14 May 2020
  • Accept Date: 24 August 2020

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