The Impact of Selected Physical Abilities Psychological Barriers and Achievement Level among Junior Fencers

Abstract

The present study aims to examine the impact of selected physical abilities, psychological barriers, and achievement level among junior fencers. Specifically, the research involved the development of a psychological barriers scale tailored for junior fencers, and the investigation of the relationship between physical abilities and achievement level, the relationship between psychological barriers and achievement level, and the combined relationship between physical abilities, psychological barriers, and achievement level.

A descriptive methodology employing the correlational approach was adopted, as it was deemed appropriate to the nature and objectives of the study.

The research population consisted of 54 junior fencers, from which a purposive sample of 44 fencers was selected (épée, foil, and sabre). The main sample included 24 fencers, while the exploratory sample comprised 20 fencers drawn from the same population.

The primary findings related to the first domain of the psychological barriers scale (self-confidence) revealed that the item “I trust my physical abilities in competition” obtained a mean score of 5.00 with a standard deviation of 0.00.

The study recommends conducting further research on the relationship between psychological barriers across different age groups, in addition to developing strategies to mitigate the psychological barriers faced by athletes.