IMPACT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILL TRAINING ON THE ENHANCEMENT OF AGILITY AND SPEED OF U-17 FEMALE FOOTBALL PROJECT TRAINEES AKAKI KALITI SUB CITY; ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The present study aims at investigating the effects of three months Psychological Skills Training (imagery) on speed and agility. The research design was employed for study is experimental design. For the purpose of the research Akaki kaliti Sub city administration U-17 female football trainees were selected purposely. All of the members of the team 45 individuals got involved in this research program. The study subjects were divided into two 30 experimental and 15 control groups randomly. Then, as a part of pre-test phase, for each group sprint speed 30 meter dash and Illinois agility test was taken to evaluate the performance. The experimental groups’ was received a 12 weeks of imagery skill training by educational psychologist. After 12 weeks of imagery skill training, a post-test was also taken from each group. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software and an independent statistical T-test and descriptive statistics method, random sampling method was used to test the level of significance. The present study indicated that as the result of Psychological Skills Training (imagery) there was statistically significant mean difference (p<0.05) was obtained between the experimental and control groups on speed and agility of female football trainees. The pretest mean score of experimental group speed was 6.75seconds post test were 6.13respectively. The pretest mean score of control group speed was 6.44 second post test scores were 6.45 respectively. The pretest of experimental group mean score of agility was 20.82 seconds and the post test scores were 18.08. The pretests of control group mean score of agility test was 19.87 and the post test scores were 19.83. Based on the analysis and finding of this study can be interpreted as being supportive of importance of imagery skill training process in enhancing female player physical ability performance. Psychological skill training it is concluded that PST makes change on experimental group. Therefore it is recommended that psychological skill training particularly imagery training should be part and parcel of the general training program for football trainees