The Investigation of Competitiveness Trait Matching and the Kind of Training Condition in Learning a Sport Skill

The purpose of this study was to study the matching of the competitiveness trait and kind of training condition when learning a sport skill (basketball free throw). 60 male university students (age 21.76±1.5 years) participated in this study and were divided into two homogeneous groups based on their pretest scores. As a result, four training groups were used in this study. Sport Orientation questionnaire (reliability coefficient: 0.90) was used to determine the subjects’ competitiveness and non-competitiveness trait. The questionnaire was confirmed by Bahram. Groups performed the criterion task in a competitive and non-competitive condition for 10 sessions (15 trials each session). The basketball free throw test (EEHPERD) and Sport Orientation Questionnaire (SOQ) were used to gather the data. Posttest was performed after the final session and retention test 10 days after the posttest. To analyze the data, analysis of variance with repeated measures, ANOVA and post hoc tests were used at α=0.05. The results showed that competitiveness subjects performed better in the competitive condition and non-competitiveness subjects performed better in the non-competitive condition. The findings also showed a significant decrease in the retention test in the non-competitive condition group. The results of this study supported Zone of Optimal Function (ZOF) hypothesis and Interactionism approach.