2013 Volume 10 Pages 39-45
The research group conducted psychological tests on 26 Japanese wheelchair basketball players who were selected as members of the 2012 London Paralympic national team.
It is crucial for coaches to understand the psychological competitive ability of athletes in an objective way.
The research conducted four types of psychological tests: STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), Uchida Kraepelin Test, Baum Test and PF study Test. STAI was utilised. Judging from the results of the STAI, the national team did not have any problems with anxiety. The Uchida Kraepelin Test was used mainly to analyse players’ working abilities (performance abilities, understanding abilities of game planning, and abilities to concentrate). The result of the Kraepelin revealed four types of player: 1) leader type, 2) follower type, 3) inspiration-based type and 4) slow player type.
The results of our research provided useful information to help coaches recognize players’ psychological competitive abilities and personalities. However, this research also revealed the issue of how research results should be used effectively. This is particularly true for coaches who lack deep knowledge needed to understand psychological tests.
