Attentional styles in rugby players
Date
1986
Authors
Maynard, Ian W.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between Nideffer's Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style (T AIS) and success in the game of rugby, level of experience and position played within the sport.
One hundred and forty-four male volunteer rugby players from the Vancouver Island Rugby Union were administered the attentional subscales of the T AIS. The sample included 72 high ability players and 72 of average ability. Within each ability group subjects were further classified by age: Under 19 (U .19) years of age (n=24), Under 23 (U .23) years of age (n=24) and Senior (n=24). Four specific positional groups were identified within the sample: Tight Five (n=56), Back Row (n=24), Half Backs (n=20) and Threequarters (n=44).
A series of Two-way multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAS) were performed on the data. No significant differences were observed between the two ability groups. These results replicate the findings of Van Schoyck and Grasha (1981) and Vallerand (1983). A significant difference was revealed when level of experience was considered (F=l.80, p<.05). The senior group was found to differ from both the U.19 and U.23 groups. Consistent with the observations of Richards and Landers (1979) and McKenna (1982), it was concluded that attentional differences exist between experienced and less experienced rugby players. Significant differences were observed between the Half Backs and the remaining positional groups, on two of the six attentional subscales (F=l.78, p<.05). It was noted, that the Half Back group reflected most closely Nideffer's concept of an effective attentional style.
The study also produced additional support for the position of Etzel (1979), Van Schoyck and Grasha (1981) and Vallerand ( 198 3 ), that attentional demands may be more complex than Nideffer's theory indicates. It was recommended that future research should focus on the underlying dimensionality of attention, and that sports- specific measures may be more precise indicators of attentional style in athletes, than is the present general TAIS test.