| KINEMATIC RESPONSE TO CAMERA-INDUCED PRESSURE AND SCORE MOTIVATION IN ELITE ATHLETES |
| Paper ID : 1618-SPORTCONGRESS |
| Authors |
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Mohamad Soleimani Rad *1, Shahzad Tahmasebi Boroujeni2, Ali Akbar Jaberimoghaddam2, Mehdi Shahbazi2 1Physical Education Bureau, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan 2Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran |
| Abstract |
| Abstract Introduction:In competitive sports environments, performing in the presence of others, evaluators, or cameras, or striving for record-breaking achievements can significantly affect athletes’ motor performance. Understanding of how these variables influence the kinematic components of skill execution is a key step toward enhancing performance. Methods: Present study aimed to investigate the effects of pressure induced by camera presence and the importance of scoring on selected kinematic variables during skill execution in skilled table tennis athletes. This semi-experimental study included 20 skilled male athletes (aged 18–40) with at least 10 years of continuous training experience. Kinematic data—including peak velocity, mean velocity, peak acceleration, root mean square of acceleration, and their variability—were collected using the Vicon motion analysis system. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The findings revealed that psychological pressure induced by the presence of a video camera led to a statistically significant decrease in peak and mean movement velocity, peak acceleration, and root mean square of acceleration (P < 0.05). Conversely, the variability of these kinematic variables increased significantly under the same condition. In contrast, pressure related to score importance did not produce any significant changes in the selected kinematic parameters. Conclusion: These findings are consistent with prior research (1-3) which demonstrated that camera-induced pressure can lead to increased self-focus and explicit control of motor mechanisms. This phenomenon resembles the early stages of skill acquisition and is typically associated with reduced fluidity and smoothness of movement. Under such pressure, athletes tend to shift from automatic execution to conscious reprocessing of motor actions, resulting in diminished kinematic performance.The results of this study highlight the importance of psychological and cognitive training strategies for professional athletes and coaches. Such interventions can help mitigate competitive pressure and preserve the quality of skill execution under real match conditions. |
| Keywords |
| Keywords: Psychological pressure, Camera presence, Kinematic variables, Skilled athletes |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation) |
