Athletic Performance as a Function of Locus of Control and Personality Characteristics among Ethiopian Athletes
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Date
2010-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship of athletic performance with
locus of control and personality characteristics among Ethiopian athletes. It was also
aimed to examine the existing counseling intervention mechanisms employed to enhance
athletic pelformance in the study sites. Among 225 total samples who were selected from
10 sport clubs using simple random sampling, only 208( 64 Fom short distance running,
74 of middle distance running and 70 of long distance runners) completed and return
back the questionnaires. 10 Coaches were also selected purposively Fom the sport clubs.
After Pi/ot study was conducted, a questionnaire consisting of demographic items,
modified Rotler's internal-external locus of control and Big jive personality inventOlY
was employed. Semi- structured interview guiding questions was also used in the study.
The collected data was analyzed through Pearson product moment, t-test, and multiple
regression analysis techniques. The open-ended questions and interview responses were
qualitatively analyzed. The quantitative analysis showed that those athletes with high
neuroticism and agreeableness scored low athletic pelformance at a significant level at
200m and 400m events respectively. Athletes with high external locus of control also
perform low at a significant level at 3000m event. Those participants with high internal
locus of control scored low athletic performance at short and middle track events. There
was no significance difference between male and female athletes on locus of control and
conscientiousness at all running events. Locus of control and personality characteristics
were not able to explain the variations in best pelformance time of athletes at significant
level at all running events. However, demographic variables were able to explain the
variance in best performance time significantly at short track events. The qualitative
result also point out that athletes encounter copious problems related to psychological,
health, lack of resources, etc. More specifically, wrong beliefs on "powerltinqola" was
reported as a devastating factor of pelformance of many athletes. All respondents
emphasized the relevance of counseling services for improving athletic performance and
psychological wellbeing of athletes. But, there were no advanced counseling intervention
mechanisms rather than giving simple advice for athletes. Based on the jindings of the
study conclusions were drawn and recommendations also forwarded to alleviate the
existing problems and improve the Ethiopian athletes' pelformance.
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Keywords
Function of Locus of Control