Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Autogenic Training on Psychological Parameters of Girls

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training on psychological parameters of girls For the purpose of the present study, sixty (N=60) female subjects between the age group of 22-25 years (Mean ± SD: age 20.21 ± 1.59 years, body mass 53.21 ± 7.25 kg, height 160.82 ± 7.38m) were selected as subjects from Department of Physical Education (T), Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab (India). The subjects were purposively assigned into three groups: Group-: Experimental (Y; N = 60; (n1= 20; Progressive muscle relaxation training group) and (n2= 20; Autogenic training group) and control (C; n3 = 20). Group E will be subjected to 8-week training. An Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine significant differences for dependent variables within the three groups. When a significant difference among the groups was observed, a pair-wise comparison of the groups was done by using the Post-hoc test Least Significant Difference (LSD) was applied to find out the direction and degree of differences. To test the hypothesis, the level of significance was set at 0.05. It is concluded from the above findings that significant difference has been observed with regard progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training on the variable i.e., imagery ability, mental preparation, self-confidence, concentration ability, relaxation ability and mental abilities. The result pertaining to the variable of anxiety and worry management insignificant with regard to progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training and control group. A Bi-Annual International Research journal Peer Reviewed Research Journal ISSN: 2348 8921 Volume1 -Issue II 2 Copy Right www.ijssfli.com INTRODUCTION In today’s competitive scenario, the sportspersons, coaches, trainers and all other concerned with sports cannot depend only on physical fitness alone, they have to identify and determine psychological attributes which affects the performance. Research of the last two decades has made considerable progress and contributes to our understanding of the psychological and biological/physiological components important to individual and team game athletes. The specialized field of sports psychology has developed rapidly in recent years. The importance of a sports psychologist as an integral member of the coaching and health care teams is widely recognised. Across all levels of the athletic continuum, from youth through professional sports, psychological preparation is as essential to success as physical conditioning, adequate hydration and proper nutrition (Creasy et al., 2009). Being physically prepared is an important key to gaining that competitive edge, but training the brain is just as important. For many athletes psychological barriers hinder their performance. Coaches have the skills, knowledge, and experience to guide their athletes through the physical and technical preparation, but it is up to the athlete to take responsibility for their own mental skills development. Practice is a vital component in an athlete’s life. Mental skill (also known as psychological skill) is internal capabilities that help athletes control their minds efficiently and consistently as they execute sports related goals. It has long been acknowledged that psychological skills are critical for athletes at the elite level. Mental skills training has developed from the necessity of the athlete to learn more about their individual mental life to allow a degree of control in coordinating effective movement through various psychological states of performance (Martens, 1987; Rushall, 1992). There are many different methods used to develop mental skills in task performance, but most can be separated into two basic approaches, cognitive and somatic, even though there is much overlap between the two. Underlying both systems is the aim and motivation of the individual to attain self-mastery, that is, a desire to control their individual psychological world. SELECTION OF SUBJECTS For the purpose of the present study, sixty (N=60) female subjects between the age group of 22 to 25 years (Mean ± SD: age 20.21 ± 1.59 years, body mass 53.21 ± 7.25 kg, height 160.82 ± 7.38m) were selected as subjects from Department of Physical Education (T), Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab (India). The subjects were further assigned into three groups: experimental (E; N = 60; (n1= 20; Progressive muscle relaxation training A Bi-Annual International Research journal Peer Reviewed Research Journal ISSN: 2348 8921 Volume1 -Issue II 3 Copy Right www.ijssfli.com group) and (n2= 20; Autogenic training group) and (C; n3 = 20 Control group). Group E were subjected to 8-week of training. Table 1. Subjects Demographics. VARIABLES SAMPLE SIZE (N=60) Group-A: PMR (N1=20) Group-B: Autogenic (N2=20) Group-C: Control (N3=20) Mean ± SD Mean ± SD Mean ± SD Age (years) 20.40±1.60 20.30±1.38 19.95±1.82 Body Mass (kg) 51.70±6.79 57.25±7.87 50.70±5.38 Body Height (m) 162.20±7.48 161.10±7.00 159.16±7.70 N; sample size, SD; standard deviation, m; meters, kg; kilograms Figure 1. Subjects Mean ± SD: age 20.21 ± 1.59 years, body mass 53.21 ± 7.25 kg, height 160.82 ± 7.38 m. Age Body Height