Sport performance, leadership styles and experimental avoidance in young footballers from Almeria

Abstract

Multiple studies have shown the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in enhancing sport performance (SP) –canoeing, tennis, handball, chess, etc.– since experimental avoidance (EA) plays an important role therein. This study addresses the relationship between EA and the psychological variables linked to SP in young footballers (Club Deportivo Vera) and between EA and leadership coaching. This study is justified by the possibility of improving SP by ACT protocols aimed at the acceptance of private events and bodily states and focuses on their behaviour in implementing their values. The instruments used were the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQ-II) –which measures the degree of EA– the Psychological Characteristics Related to Sport Performance Questionnaire (CPRD) and the Sport Leadership Scale (LSS). The results show that the relationships (-.457) were statistically significant (p < .01) for EA and the psychological characteristics associated with SP. Likewise, the players’ preference for autocratic leadership behaviour negatively correlated to these variables. On the basis of these result, we propose implementing ACT protocols to enhance players´SP.