Development and validation of psychic energy

Published
International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 4, Issue 5, May 2014 1
ISSN 2250-3153
www.ijsrp.org
Development and Validation of Psychic Energy
Assessment Scale for Gymnasts
Malika Sharma*
, Dr. Lalit Sharma**
*
Doctoral Fellow, Department Of Physical Education And Sports Sciences, University of Delhi, India.
**
Associate Professor, IGIPESS, University of Delhi, Delhi
Abstract- The present study aimed to construct a Psychic Energy
Scale by computing Exploratory Factor Analysis to validate the
Psychic Energy Scale, before administering the EFA, the data
was analysed for its sampling adequacy. The factor analysis was
employed separately on each sub scale. Initially, seven items
measure was administered to 120 Indian artistic gymnasts from
different Gymnastics Centre of Allahabad, Hyderabad and Delhi.
Exploratory factor analysis supported a 2-factor model that
explained 57.98% of the variance. In the next stage five items
measure was administered to 65 Indian Gymnasts from Bhoir’s
Gymkhana, Dombivali, Mumbai, the result supported by EFA as
one factor model including four statements that explained
47.39% of variance.
Index Terms- Gymnasts, Psychic Energy, Sports Performance,
scale for Psychic Energy
I. INTRODUCTION
he effective use of psychological strategies and interventions
are now seen as the final prerequisite for optimal athletic
performance (Orlick, 1986). Mental preparation incorporating
arousal regulation appears particularly salient for explosive
athletic performance, that is, where maximal motor activities of
short duration are involved, e.g., Gymnastics, sprinting, diving.
The term arousal is widely used in the literature to represent both
physiological arousal or activation and psychological arousal
(e.g., Gould & Krane, 1992; Hassett, 1978), and in the same way
Apter (1989) defines arousal as being “worked up” or energized.
This general meaning of arousal is not synonymous with anxiety
or stress, and is multileveled and measurable at the physiological,
psychological, and behavioural levels (Wrisberg, 1994).
Psychic Energy is a term sometimes used synonymously with
arousal. It refers to the vigour, vitality, and intensity with which
the mind functions and prepares the body to function. It can be
either positive or negative. When performers go from low to high
levels of psychic energy they are said to become psyched-up;
while those who go from high to low levels are psyched-out. As
in arousal, there is an optimum level of psychic energy. Several
arousal theories aimed to address optimal levels for specific
kinds of sports (Perkins et al., 2001). The ‘Inverted U theory’ by
Yerkes and Dodson, states that too high or too low levels of
arousal and anxiety cause a person to perform poorer compared
with performance at a medium (controlled/ optimum) level of
arousal.
Each athlete has different psychic energy responds to stress.
The task or sport will also affect how they react to stress or the
demand made on them during training or competition and it has
multiple effects on athletic performance during sports. It
enhances blood flow and oxygen in the brain, neural and
musculoskeletal systems. Psychic Energy stimulates adrenaline
and other stimulant hormone production. Psychic Energy that is
excessively high or low hurts athletic performance. Some effects
of arousal on sports performance include muscular tension,
decision-making speed, concentration and focus, rhythm and
coordination, the basic essence of Gymnastics and are enough to
ruin the gymnast’s performance.
Heightened blood flow and muscular tension is necessary for
performance during sports and athletic activities to prepare the
gymnasts mentally and physically. But excessive muscular
tension hinders Gymnast’s performance because muscle tissues
become too stiff to respond appropriately. Stiff muscles may
exhibit delayed reactions, early reactions, too much force or too
little force. Athletes with muscular tension that is too low exhibit
delayed reactions and too little force and this will be sufficient to
drain out a Gymnast’s performance which was the outcome after
years of preparation and hard work.
Psychic Energy affects decision making by stimulated blood
flow and oxygen to the brain and neuronal system. People with
lower Psychic Energy exhibit slower decision-making than
people with heightened Psychic Energy. Quick decision-making
is necessary for performance during Gymnastics routines and
athletic activities for calculating and planning the air born bodily
movements. Excessively fast decision-making hinders athletic
performance because it leads to erratic decisions that do not
effectively evaluate situations. Low Psychic Energy and
decision-making that is excessively slow hinders athletic
performance because these athletes do not have the capacity to
adequately calculate and judge the responses or response speeds,
(effects-arousal-sports-performance.html).
Artistic gymnastics is known for short intervals of highly
demanding exercises requiring high concentration, alertness, as
well as emotional- and Psychic Energy (Johnson, 2009).
Especially individual and jury sports such as Artistic gymnastics
denote high rates of severe injuries (Johnson, 2009; Caine &
Nassar, 2005; Kolt & Kirkby, 1999) and often use Observing
Learning to enhance health and performance. Common stressors
in Gymnastics are fear of injury, the subjective scoring system,
social factors such as the presence of an attentive audience,
performing skills under (time) pressure, wishing to perform well
to please someone, and the perceived importance of the event
(Tremayne & Barry, 1988). The stressors that are found within
Gymnastics reveal that emotion, especially social pressure,
anxiety and fear of injury, are important factors that influence the
performance as well as the well-being of the gymnast. Therefore
T

Published
ISSN 2250-3153
www.ijsrp.org
ways of measuring these factors and techniques to regulate them
are strongly needed.
Many authors stress the importance of optimal Psychic
Energy during Artistic Gymnastics routines (Tremayne & Barry,
1988). Treymayne and Barry (1988) concluded that gymnasts
with low levels of anxiety could easier ignore distracting,
irrelevant stimuli and focus with little effort on relevant stimuli
during performance, which is quite important during gymnastic
routines. Optimal Psychic Energy models state that high Psychic
Energy has a negative effect on performance (Perkins, Wilson &
Kerr, 2001). Cottyn, Clercq, Pannier, Crombez & Lenoir (2006)
already mentioned the significance of anxiety in gymnastics,
especially when executing elements of high difficulty on
gymnastics apparatuses. The nature of the apparatuses can elicit
anxiety and stress in gymnasts and arousal regulation is expected
to improve performance and well-being of the gymnast. Because
of the demanding nature of the Gymnastics routines, the
conceptualization was done to construct a scale to measure the
Psychic Energy comprising Arousal Awareness and Arousal
Regulation as variables for Indian artistic Gymnasts in this study.
The purpose of examining the arousal awareness and arousal
level of the gymnasts was to identify their weaknesses and
intervene some valid arousal regulation methods for the better
performance of the Indian gymnasts.
II. METHODOLOGY
The development of the scale was carried and completed in
five steps. Each step is elaborated in detail.
Step 1—Background In the initial step, the purpose and
objectives of the proposed research were examined to test the
Psychic Energy of the Gymnasts so that the weaknesses and
strengths of the Gymnasts will be assessed and appropriate
intervention programme could be suggested. The Gymnasts who
has represented minimum at the district/ state level
championships and are able to read and understand the
statements of the scale were selected as the samples for the study.
A thorough understanding of the problem through literature
search and readings was done. After a good preparation and
understanding of Step1, it provided the foundation for initiating
Step 2.
Step 2—Scale Conceptualization After developing a
thorough understanding of the research on Psychic Energy and
gymnast’s sports performance, a discussion with experts and
athletes was done before the statements for the scale were
generated. In this step, content (from literature/theoretical
framework) was transformed into statements. In addition, a link
among the objectives of the study and their translation into
content was established.
Step 3--Format and Data Analysis In Step 3, writing of
statements, selection of appropriate scales of measurement,
questionnaire layout, format, statements ordering, font size, front
and back cover, and proposed data analysis was focussed. Five
point likert Scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree was
devised to quantify a subject's response on a particular variable
by keeping in mind the importance of Understanding the
relationship between the level of measurement and the
appropriateness of data analysis.
Step 4--Establishing Validity after completing Steps 1-3, a
draft questionnaire was ready for establishing validity. Content
validity was established using a panel of experts and a field test.
Depending on the objectives of the study, content validity was
used. The following questions were addressed: Is the
questionnaire measuring what it intended to measure? Does it
represent the content? Is it appropriate for the
sample/population? Is the questionnaire comprehensive enough
to collect all the information needed to address the purpose and
goals of the study? and Does the instrument look like a scale?
Addressing these questions coupled with carrying out a
readability test by offering the scale to the experts, other
researchers and athletes to read out the statements of the scale
and provide the feedback to the researcher so that necessary
changes could be made, if they had any problem in
understanding the language and meaning of the framed
statements enhanced questionnaire validity. Following a field test
on subjects and the expert’s opinion some necessary changes
were made in the questionnaire.
Step 5--Establishing Reliability In this final step, reliability
of the questionnaire using a pilot test was carried out. The
internal consistency reliability test was used for the present
research. Reliability was established by using a pilot test by
collecting data from 120 subjects. On the collected Data
exploratory analysis was computed using SPSS 17 (Statistical
Package for Social Sciences) was applied, which provided the
key pieces of information i.e Factor loading of the variables,
Communalities extraction and KMO & Bartlett’s sampling
adequacy. After analysing the results 2 statements were deleted,
in other words after factor analysis on 7 statements only 5
relevant statements were retained. Finally, the scale comprises of
5 statements.
Selection of Variables
On the basis of available literature and various researches it is
said that Psychic Energy management play important role in
enhancing the performance of the individual sports players..
Sample
A total of 120 male and female gymnasts, were selected as
the subject from the different Gymnastics centres of Allahabad
and Hyderabad. The subjects were ranging from 8 to 28 years of
age. The gymnasts were explained with all the instructions and
procedure of filling up the questionnaire and were requested to
read the instructions carefully before giving the final response to
the questions
Statistical Analysis
Exploratory Factor Analysis was computed to validate the
Psychic Energy Scale, before administering the EFA, the data
was analysed for its sampling adequacy. The factor analysis was
employed separately on each sub scale. The findings with regard
to different sub scale are presented from the table No. 1 to table
No. 4.

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ISSN 2250-3153
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Table 1: Correlation Matrix of variables
PE39 PE2 PE10 PE18 PE25 PE32 PE44
Correlation PE39 1.000 .053 .040 .142 .123 .154 .180
PE2 1.000 .172 .310 .181 .073 .202
PE10 1.000 .261 .114 .155 .065
PE18 1.000 .201 .091 .252
PE25 1.000 -.067 .191
PE32 1.000 .046
PE44 1.000
a. Determinant = .633
Table, clearly indicates the correlation matrix among
different statements of the Psychic Energy Management. The
determinant value has been listed at the bottom of the table. The
computed value for Psychic Energy Management is 0.633 which
is greater than the necessary value of 0.00001 (Field, 2005). All
statements of Psychic Energy Management correlate fairly well
and none of the correlation coefficient is particularly large,
therefore there is no need to eliminate any statement at this stage.
Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin was computed for sampling adequacy. The
findings are presented in the table No.2
Table 2: KMO and Bartlett’s Test for sampling Adequacy
Table no. 2 represents that data is appropriate for factor
analysis. The above table represents the factor analysis by using
the KMO and Bartlett’s Test which measures the Kaiser-Meyer-
Olkin measure of sampling Adequacy at .666, which falls into
the range of .5 to .7 which shows the data is mediocre, which
reveals factor analysis can be applied on the data.
Bartlett’s test is significant at .001 therefore factor analysis is
appropriate to apply on the collected data. The exploratory factor
analysis on Psychic Energy Management items reveals that the
communalities after extraction are ranging from .469 to .738.
Three factor solutions emerges and accounts for 57.98% of the
total variance with Eigen value 1.90 1.11 and 1.03 respectively in
5 retained items. The first factor for 23.04%, second for 18.907
and the third factor for 16.03% of the total explained variance.
The factor loading of 3 items in first variable are ranging from
.66 to .69 and in second variable the loading of two items are
.784 to .636 and the third variable has .83, since the third
extracted variable was deleted as it was not appropriate for the
gymnasts. The EFA was again computed and the factor loading
on the factor is presented in table no. 3.
Table 3: Factor Loading, Communalities Eigen values, Percentage of explained variance of the Psychic Energy Management
Statements
Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy .666
Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity Approx.Chi-Square 53.402
Df 21
Sig. .000
Variables Component Matrix Communalities
Extraction
Item (5)
PE1 .759 .576
PE8 .558 .311
PE15 .806 .650
PE22 .710 .505
PE28 .573 .328
Eigenvalues 2.37

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ISSN 2250-3153
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In the above table Self-Confidence is factor analysed. The
communalities after extraction are ranging from .328 to .650.
One factor solution with Eigen value 2.370 is emerged which
account for 47.393% of the variance. All the five items are
highly loaded on one factor and the factor loadings are ranging
from .558 to .806, representing arousal regulation and awareness
in psychic energy management.
Table 5: Reliability Statistics
Statement Numbers with item Number of Item Cronbach's
Alpha
Cronbach's
Alpha if Item
Deleted
Psychic Energy Management_1
5 .704
.642
Psychic Energy Management_ 8 .699
Psychic Energy Management _15 .587
The table indicates that five statements in psychic energy
management’s cronbach’s alpha is .704.
III. DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
The above analysed data and the interpreted table clearly
reveals that initially there were 7 statements in the questionnaire
testing Psychic energy management but after the factor analysis
two statements were deleted on the basis of poor factor loading
value, extraction value and to avoid the statements carrying the
same meaning webbed in different words.
So, finally 5 statements were retained in the questionnaire,
which was less time consuming and easily administrable, testing
an important psychological factor namely, Psychic energy
management. Further the questionnaire was administered on 120
subjects, the collected data was further analysed by calculating
the item analysis which reveals that Psychic energy management
had Cronbach’s Alpha .715.
IV. CONCLUSIONS
1. The following statements were drawn under Psychic Energy
Management Factor:
Psychic Energy Management
Arousal Awareness:
1. I do not allow my low level of energy to affect my
performance.
2. I am aware of my body arousal.
Arousal Regulation
3. I can control my thoughts before the competition.
4. I can control my mind for realistic and constructive
thoughts.
5. I feel myself more energized during competition
2. This scale may be administered for training purpose.
However, this form of scale is not advised to use to asses as
variable for Psychological Skills.
Psychological tests can play a crucial role in identifying the
strengths and weaknesses of athletes and evaluating the
effectiveness of psychological skills training programs. (Anshel
& Lidor, 2012; Marchant, 2010; Morgan, 1980).
REFERENCES
[1] Anshel, M.H., & Lidor, R. (2012). Talent detection programs in sport: The
questionable use of psychological measures. Journal of Sport Behavior, 35,
239-266.
[2] Caine, D. & Nassar, L. (2005). Gymnastics Injuries. Medical Sport Science,
48, 18-58.
[3] Cottyn, J., Clercq, Dirk de, Pannier, J-L., Crombez, G. & Lenoir, M. (2008).
The role of preparatory heart rate deceleration on balance beam
performance. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 30,159-170.
[4] Gould, D., & Krane, V. (1992). The arousal-performance relationship:
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psychology (pp. 119–141). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
[5] Hassett. J. (1978). A primer of psychophysiology. San Francisco: W.H.
Freeman.
[6] Johnson, L. (2009). Anxiety, stress, and coping in sports of gymnastics
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[7] Kolt, G.S. & Kirkby, R.J. (1999). Epidemiology of injury in elite and
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[8] Krane, V. (1992). Conceptual and methodological considerations in sport
anxiety research:From the inverted-U hypothesis to catastrophe theory.
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[9] Orlick, T. (1986). Coaches training manual to ‘Psyching for sport.’
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[10] Perkins, D., Wilson, G.V. & Kerr, J.H. (2001). The effects of elevated
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[11] Poh, M.Z, Swenson, N.C. & Picard, R.W. (2010). A wearable sensor for
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[12] Tremayne, P. & Barry R.J. (1988). An application of psychophysiology in
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[13] Yerkes, R. M. & Dodson, J. D. (1908). The Relationship of Strength of
Stimulus to Rapidity of Habit Formation. Journal of Comparative
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[14] http://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100352601
[15] http://www.ehow.com/list_6868363_effects-arousal-sports-
performance.html#ixzz2txuR5dFh
% of Variance 47.39

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AUTHORS
First Author – Malika Sharma, Doctoral Fellow, Department Of
Physical Education And Sports Sciences, University of Delhi,
India.
Second Author – Dr. Lalit Sharma, Associate Professor,
IGIPESS, University of Delhi, Delhi

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