The Comparison of mental skills in elite and sub-elite male and female volleyball players

Purpose of the present study was to compare mental skills in male and female elite and non-elite volleyball players. 104 Iranian Super League volleyball players (20 males and 30 females) and Student Competitions (30 males and 24 females) completed OMSAT3. Result of 2x2 ANOVA showed that elites had better Mental Skill than the sub-elite group. There was no significant difference between males and females. Group and gender's interaction was significant (p=0.05). Considering the results, the reason for the advantage of elites over sub-elite group is associated with psychological factors. Enjoying a higher level of focusing, self-confidence, and higher mental efficacy, they are less affected by excitation and therefore, have a better performance. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the 2nd World Conference on Psychology, Counselling and Guidance.