Abstract

MAHL, Álvaro C.  and  RAPOSO, José Vasconcelos. Performance psychological profile of Brazilian professional soccer players . Rev. Port. Cien. Desp. [online]. 2007, vol.7, n.1, pp.80-91. ISSN 1645-0523.

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the psychological performance of professional Brazilan soccer players has measured by self-confidence, negativity, attention, motivation, imagery, positivity and competitive attitude. The sample consisted of 529 players: 266 played at the regional and 263 competed at the national championships. The instrument used was the Performance Psychological Profile Questionnaire, first developed by Loher and translated and validated for Brazilian athletes by Vasconcelos-Raposo. A further confirmatory factor analysis was conducted based on the data gathered for this study. The following values were obtained: X²/df=2.145; GFI= 0.87; CFI= 0.907; and the RSMEA=0.047. Only at the level of positivity, athletes presented values above 26. The identified psychological profile suggests that athletes prepare themselves for the competition; however this is not done in systematically. Athletes that competed at the national level presented a better psychological profile. Statistically significant differences were identified only at the level of: self-confidence, negativity, attention, and motivation. This study also demonstrated that playing years of experience was positively correlated with the performance psychological profile.

Keywords : Psychological skills; performance psychological profile; Brazilian professional soccer players.

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