ELECTED ASPECTS OF BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL FUNCTIONING OF THE SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM IN CYCLE SPEEDWAY REPRESENTING POLAND IN 2015 AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN POOLE

Abstract

Purpose: to increase knowledge concerning certain elements of biological and psychological functioning of contestants practising speedway cycling through examining typical health behaviours, the mental approach, and preventive behaviours applied to everyday functioning. Material: the study sample consisted of 12 cycle speedway competitors (aged between 20 and 37, average 27.42±5.68). The research concerned a group of speedway riders, Polish national senior representatives in speedway cycling at the World Championship. The Standardized Inventory of Health Behaviours and our own questionnaire were applied. Results: the mean value of the general health behaviour index was 75.50±14.0 (N=12). The value of the coefficient between positive mental approach and satisfaction experienced by the competitors caused by progress within a year was r=0.62; p<0.05. In the group the value of the index of satisfaction caused by obtained progress in improving condition was: median 6.50. Based on the performed analysis, it was found that as for the health behaviour types in the group of cycle speedway competitors there were two smaller groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: based on the presented research results, we can say that a group of senior competitors representing Poland at the championship in 2015 in cycle speedway is internally divided with respect to the revealed health behaviour type. The findings of the study suggest that there are still potential opportunities to be used by competitors surveyed, which in the future may lead to continued excellent - as at present - and even better performance at competitive events.

Keywords

• sports psychology
• development
• cycle speedway
• Poland