Psychological Determinants of Performance in Youth Soccer Players in Training
Richard Ramirez-Anormaliza- Maritza Gisella Paula Chica
Published 2026-09-30
Keywords
- psychological determinants,
- sports performance,
- youth soccer,
- structural equation modeling,
- child sports psychology
How to Cite
Abstract
Background: Sports performance in young soccer players is a multifactorial phenomenon in which psychological aspects play a decisive role, particularly during the 10–12 year-old period. Objective: To identify and analyze the main psychological determinants influencing sports performance in youth soccer players. Methods: A descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional, mixed-methods design was employed with a stratified sample of 90 participants (30 per age group) from youth soccer academies in Milagro, Ecuador. Motivation, self-confidence, attention, emotional regulation, and motivational climate were assessed through adapted standardized instruments (SMS-C, CSAI-2, D2 Test, ERQ-CA, PMCSQ-2). Results: Structural equation modeling revealed that only self-confidence significantly predicts psychological performance (β = 0.28, p = .043). Significant age differences were found in the D2 concentration index (p < .001). No sex differences were identified. Conclusions: Self-confidence is the most relevant psychological determinant of performance in 10–12 year-old soccer players, while other psychological variables show more complex relationships than hypothesized.
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References
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