Dominating mental states of the representatives of individual sports under lockdown and martial law: comparative analysis

Abstract

(en) The purpose is to compare psychological content parameters of dominating mental states of the representatives of individual sports under forced isolation, caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and martial law. The sample consisted of the Ukrainian sportsmen (n=98), representing such sports as track and field (n=58), weight lifting (n=27) and freestyle wrestling (n=13). Research methods: valid methods with standardized forms for responses, participant observation, ranking, application of reliability coefficients. Results. It was established that there were no significant differences in the comparison of psychological content parameters under lockdown (Group 1) and martial law (Group 2). The ranking method allowed identifying the key measurements correlating with a respondent’s resilience which is a main characteristic in handling difficulties in tough situations. It was established that the ranks are different in the following parameters: “Psychological Well-Being” (PWВ); “General Meaningfulness of an Athlete’s Life” (GMAL) at the level р>.01 and at the level р>.05 in the parameters: “Challenge” (Ch); “Hardiness” (Hr); “Control” (Cn); “Commitment” (Cm). Two factor structures of dominating mental states of the representatives of individual sports under lockdown and martial law were created. It was established that the factor structures have different frameworks and dispersions of scattering in similar mental states. It was determined that lockdown for the representatives of individual sports was less stressful than sporting activities under martial law. It is obvious that permanent involvement in information flows concerning the situation with the military aggression, air-raid warnings, changes in training schedules, finishing performance at the time of air-raid warnings and staying in bomb shelters had a considerable impact on the total index of meaning-of-life orientations, self-regulation processes, involvement and control of the representatives of individual sports. Conclusions. The suggested factor structures of dominating mental states and the identified ranking research parameters are of scientific value and can contribute to efficient tactical training in difficult and extreme conditions.