抄録
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of longitudinal mental training in enhancing the psychological competitive ability of a wheelchair athlete. A male wheelchair athlete (onset of disability-more than 5 years ago; history of athletic sport-3 years; type of disability-spinal cord injury) underwent mental training under a sport mental training consultant. The athlete was monitored both quantitatively and qualitatively over a period spanning 21 months. The effects of the mental training were estimated from the following aspects: (1) the Diagnostic Inventory of Psychological Competitive Ability for Athletes (DIPCA. 3); (2) the records pertaining to goal setting, perceived achievement, and the athlete's opinion; (3) and the interview on the requirements of mental training, the effects of mental training on athletic sports, and so on. The quantitative results indicated that mental training was beginning to take effect gradually. On the other hand, the qualitative results revealed that the subject perceived positive changes from the beginning of mental training. Thus, mental training was perceived as beneficial in enhancing psychological competitive ability and level of performance. In view of these findings, sport mental training consultants and coaches may wish to consider both the quantitative and qualitative approach to estimate the effect of mental training.
