Effect of Breathing Exercise on The Accuracy of Penalty Kick
Mohd Azharul Azemi 1*, Mohd Faizal Azrul Azwan Muhamed 2, Muhammad Zainuddin Mohamed Azudin2, Nor Fazila Abd Malek 3,
Muhammad Asyraf Abd Rahim 3
1 Faculty Sports Science and Recreation, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Pahang Branch, Malaysia
2 Faculty Business Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Pahang Branch, Malaysia
3 Faculty of Sport Science & Coaching, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Perak Malaysia
*Corresponding Author: [email protected]
Accepted: 15 May 2021 | Published: 1 June 2021
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Abstract: This experimental study examined the effects of psychological skill training (PST), which is a breathing exercise on the accuracy of the penalty kick in soccer. This study involved thirty-two (n =32) members of a soccer club in primary school of Gombak district aged 10 to 12. They are randomly assigned to two different groups which are the treatment group (respiratory exercise) and control group (no exercise). The respiratory exercise program was conducted for 4 weeks, with an average of 3 times a week for the treatment group alone. The instrument used in this study has been adopted from the Penalty Precision Test (PPT) (Depdikbud, 1994) to measure the precision from kick to goal. The study used Independent T- Test to measure differences across these groups. The results of the study showed that there was a significant difference between the treatment group and control group in the results of the penalty kick accuracy test.
Keywords: Breathing exercise, Accuracy, Penalty Kick, Psychology Skill Training, Progressive Muscle Relaxation
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1. Introduction
Football is a competitive sport that requires a high standard of success to ensure victory.
Although the control and physical practice groups' mental representation structures changed just slightly over time, the mental practise and combined practice groups' representation structures changed dramatically over time (Frank, Land, Popp & Schack, 2014). A penalty kick is awarded when the opposing team commits an offence or foul play inside the penalty box, such as a hard tackle or a situation where the ball is struck in the penalty box area, according to the International Federation of Football Associations (2018). In addition, which is also correlated with the element of victory in the soccer game is decided by scoring goals or losing penalties, demonstrating the accuracy of a penalty kick is one of the most important components that can be established in this sport (Vieira, Cunha, Moraes, Barbieri, Aquino, Oliveira & Santiago, 2018). This accuracy is defined as the ability to kick a ball at a given spot.
The percentage of success of the penalty kick depends on how long it takes and also how difficult it is for the goal keeper to prevent the ball from entering the goal or to prevent it from entering the goal, and also depends on the target angle of the shot. As Navia, Van der Kamp, Avilés and Aceituno (2019) have pointed out, if a player is capable of handling difficult circumstances or negative feelings, efficiency and accuracy will improve. In In sports, arousal is also connected to anxiety. Anxiety known as a negative emotional state with feelings of anxiety, anticipation and nervousness associated with excitement that cause the nervous system to be triggered. Two big effects of excitement on sports success. First, it increases muscle
tension and affects coordination. Too much stress is detrimental to success. Second, enthusiasm influences the focus and concentration of the competitor. Researchers have taken an interest in anxiety and sport success in recent years (Lane, Devonport, Friesen, Beedie, Fullerton &
Stanley, 2016). Anxiety often surrounds athletes before, during and after a sporting event (Ruiz, Hanin & Robazza, 2016). This statement is supported by Turner & Jones (2018) in which they state that a competition will inevitably cause emotional disturbances, athletes feel stressed and anxious and lose focus before the competition, thus hindering achievement and lowering athlete performance.
Anxiety is also understood as a cognitive process that involves, for example, doubts about one's performance compared to others and often thinks of the consequences of failure for oneself and one's teammates, while emotionality consists of affective-psychological symptoms determined by increased arousal. Some of the mechanisms by which anxiety influences the athlete performance can be seen and explained using theoretical perspectives such as the inverted U- theory by Yerkes and Dodson in (1908). The Inverted U Theory is an intriguing reason for poor results. In addition to what the Inverted U Theory predicts, it is important to consider that beginners typically need more attention to results while an expert may do it automatically with more or less effort. Eysenck and Wilson (2016) postulates that the beginner has a high degree of excitement that he or she may be overwhelmed and appears not to devote the same amount of attention to the emphasis of real sports. This leads to the deterioration of performance due to the disproportion on stimuli related to the threat towards their attention which may affect their accuracy in specific sports such as football. Besides, beginners tend to rely heavily on signals and cues in the environment to perform the right skills in the right situations and at the right time. However, when the excitement increases their concentration on the essential indices and the signal decreases, they lose concentration and become unable to respond properly.
From previous research many researcher studies on physical training (PT) and mental training (MT) on improving athletic performance. Both methods are used to achieve maximum performance and enhance motor learning abilities (Wriessnegger, Steyrl, Koschutnig &
Müller-Putz, 2014). PT refers to performance of skills in moving affected body parts (Jimenez- Diaz & Morera-Castro 2018). The success of the participants in the two experimental groups during the retention phase can be attributed to the fact that they repeated their preparatory routines and skills numerous times without any change in conditions, namely in a stable environment, using a consistent style, at a fixed distance from a permanent target (Perry &
Katz, 2015). Furthermore, emotions that can be positive feelings or thoughts while applying MT, seven components need to be considered: physical, environment, task, time, learning, emotional and perspective (PETTLEP). In different studies, PT was found to be more effective than MT (Frank et al, 2014). However, MT prefers yield to this type of training (Hegazy, Sherif
& Houta, 2015). However, the evidence shows that it is better to do both types of training, physical training and mental training (PTM), rather than just one of the two types (Frank et al, 2014). When comparing the three types of training (PT, MT and PMT) in the performance of handball skills, in the acquisition test it was found that the mental training group performed better than the other groups, but in retention test the result showed that PT and PMT groups showed similar, but better performance from the performance of MT (Frank et al, 2014). On the other hand, Crossman (1992) was one of the first to examine whether or not the MT would benefit from perfecting a shot from the penalty point. In this study, it was found that after participating in a daily 15 minutes session for 8 days, the players who made MT improved compared to not having MT. Contrary to the above, after a week of MT (imagery) intervention, there was no improvement in the performance of dropping penalties with the goalkeeper in a group of 15-year-old football players (Björkstrand & Jern, 2013). The PIM training program is
one of the imaging interventions used by athletes to enhance their golf abilities (Yahya, Ismail
& Amer, 2016). It is proposed that the combination of MT and PT supports sensory integration, which improves performance (Crews & Kamen, 2006). In short, combining PT and MT (imagery) can be equally effective or even more effective than doing PT only, however, there is not enough evidence on the impact of applying this type of training in determining football penalties on lecturers. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of using PST (breathing exercise) on the precision of penalty kicks in 11-year-old students. The main objectives of this study are to determine the difference between the score after the penalty test between the treatment group and the control group. The null hypothesis of this study was that there was no significant difference between the penalty precision test scores for the experimental and control groups.
Accuracy of penalty kicks is critical for successful outcomes. Based on a recent study, Makaruk, Porter, Sadowski, Bodasińska, Zieliński, Niźnikowski and Mastalerz, (2019) said 20% to 40% of penalty kicks did not meet target. These results clearly specify if a footballer is able to increase his accuracy of penalty shooting, the result will certainly improve especially in tournament. The data reveal that shots fired at the top corners of the goal are extremely successful because goaltenders cannot easily protect these areas (Makaruk, Porter, Sadowski, Bodasińska, Zieliński, Niźnikowski & Mastalerz, 2019). Makaruk et al. (2019) further stated that the penalty shooter prefers to use the lateral foot placement technique instead of the power kick technique. However, Jamil, Littman & Beato,. (2020) argue that the goalkeeper has less than 0.25 seconds to react when the footballer uses the power-on-first technique compared to the right foot technique. Hunter, Angilletta Jr, Pavlic, Lichtwark and Wilson (2018) further explained that shooting outside the court can decrease the accuracy of the penalty kick.
Psychological skills training (PST) is one of well-known mental training, Vealey (1988) discussed key approaches to the PST, including the four standard strategies used to improve skills, such as goal setting, imaging, physical relaxation and thought control. Röthlin, Horvath, Trösch, grosse Holtforth and Birrer, (2020) added that psychological skills training is based on clinical first and second wave cognitive approaches where the focus is on the experience itself.
The principal psychological method of managing pressure is relaxation (Singh & Kaur 2020).
Relaxation should be used to build a footballer's attitude to improve his or her internal balance.
The football player learns to concentrate and resolve problems simultaneously (Kellmann, &
Beckmann, 2017).
2. Methodology
Participant
In this study, the researcher applied a quantitative approach to experimental research. The researcher is interested in the effect of breathing techniques on the precision of the penalty kick. The impact is evaluated by providing specific therapy. There will be significant differences between the PM group and the comparison group of 10- to 12-year-old male students. The population for this study is standard five students among primary school of Gombak district. The total number of them is 36 and the researcher use purposive sampling technique. Purposive sampling is a sampling method used to pick the populations to participate in a sample based on the researcher's judgments according to Black (2019). This is a non- probability sampling method because the elements selected for the sample are selected by the researchers' judgement. The number of samples for this study is 32 students from the school soccer club. The pre-test was conducted to determine the target group for each student. The students had divided into 2 different groups which are 16 for treatment and 16 for control. The
method used to measure the accuracy of this penalty kick in this study was adopted from shoot the ball into target (Pambudi, 2012). To evaluate the accuracy of the penalty, a soccer frame with the regulatory measures was used, which was scored, using a rope, with eleven rectangular zones. Each one of the zones has a value of points in case of scoring and of not scoring zero points; therefore, in each test the minimum score to be obtained is 0 points, while the maximum is 5 points. The penalty was taken from the regulation point for execution, without a goalkeeper, at a distance of 11 meters from the goal and a soccer ball (Pioneer n ° 5) was used. The study took place at a normal school football field. The pre-test was conducted to determine the target group for each student. The students divided into 2 different groups, 16 students each for both treatment and control groups. According to Koger (2007) the accuracy of this instrument is 0.65 and the reliability is 0.77. This instrument also used the normal goal setting with 7.32 meters length and 2.44 meters height. The data gathered from this test then analyze using Statistical Package for Science Social (SPSS) version 23.0 and Independent t-test is use for analysis.
Procedures
The study was carried out in two sessions. In the first session, the objective of the study was explained to the students, and those interested in participating voluntarily signed the informed consent (in the case of underage participants, they signed an informed consent, the informed consent was signed by their legal guardians). The pre-test measurement consisted of making 3 shots from the penalty spot. After the pre-test, the participants were then assigned to one of two groups, one from treatment and the other from control groups. Both of the groups will have a normal soccer training and penalty shoot-out training for about two hours per session. The training was conducted for 3 session per week for 4 weeks. The differences between these two group were the PM group were had a breathing exercise before the penalty training. One week after end of 4 weeks of training, post-test was conducted to see the effectiveness of the intervention using the same procedure with the pre-test.
Figure 1: Diagram of the division of the soccer goal to take penalty kicks. Penalty Precision Test (Depdikbud, 1994)
3. Results
The objective of the present study was to analyze the effect of two groups on the precision of the penalty kick in a group of youth soccer club players from Gombak district. Data Analysis Techniques SPSS was used to statistically analyze the data obtained in this study. The steps involved in the performance of data analysis techniques include the following:
Table 1: Normality Test Shapiro-Wilk
Age Statistic df Sig.
Group Type 10 .892 8 .245
11 .922 16 .182
12 .875 8 .168
To assess the normality of this data the researcher test the following hypotheses:
Ho : The sample data comes from a normal distribution Ha : The sample data comes from a non-normal distribution
From the table 1 Shapiro-Wilk test result showed a normally distributed data for 10 years old, W(8) = .89, p = .25, 11 years old, W(16) = .92, p = .18 and 12 years old, W(8) = .87. p = .17.
It showed that the p-value > a = 0.05 so we fail to reject the null hypothesis. There is not sufficient evidence to discredit the assumption that the data comes from a normally distributed population. The claim is supported
Table 2: Analysis for Mean Differences in Precision Penalty Kick Test scores between experimental and control group
32 subjects N Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean
Group Type Experiment group 16 3.56 1.209 .302
Control group 16 2.69 1.195 .299
Table 2 above shows that the mean score of the experimental group (M=3.56, SD=1.21) is higher than control group (M=2.69, SD=1.20). The results of this test indicate that the experimental group which using the breathing exercise have a better result than the control group which only focusing on the physical training.
Table 3: Table 3 - Independent Samples T-Test
F Sig. t df Sig. (2-tailed)
Group Type
Equal variances
assumed .053 .820 2.05 30 .048
Equal variances not
assumed 2.05 29.996 .048
An independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare the precision penalty kick test scores between the experimental and control groups. There was a significant difference in the scores for experimental group (M=3.56, SD=1.21) and control group (M=2.69, SD=1.20). Result showed that the t (30)=2.06, p = .048. This has the effect of increasing the p-value below the critical significance level of 0.05. Hence, the null hypothesis is rejected, that there was a statistically significant differences between means for both groups.
4. Conclusion and Conclusion
The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of breathing exercise towards the accuracy in the penalty kick of young soccer players. In order to achieve the objective of this study, we employed 32 young Saskatchewan soccer players (1) Selayang Baru and divided them into two different groups, the experimental group and the control group. All groups were given four weeks of normal practice, two hours a day, three times a week, and extra breathing exercises only for the experimental group. They were also taught about the importance and
function of respiration technique. In the present study, the statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference on the post-test score between these two groups, t (30) = 2.06, p = .048 shown in Table 3. These variables are then classified as one of the essential components of PST to increase marksman accuracy as well as increase performance among young soccer players. Finding from this study is parallel with the previous study which found that that progressive muscular relaxation technique was effective in improving the imagery ability, mental preparation and concentration ability and mental skill of subjects (Bhadoria, Bhukar &
Jadon, 2013). Other than that, according to Huang (2011), efficient techniques for dealing with performance anxiety use PMR and breathing because it is a somatic strategy that should be equally effective in minimising somatic arousal and physical symptoms. However, several studies have shown that the frequency of respiration affects fundamental parameters of motion, which could be affected by factors other than excitation (Buchanan & Janelle, 2021). In addition, a comparative analysis of the impact between the relaxation conditions and the two sprint sessions Pelka, Kölling, Ferrauti, Meyer, Pfeiffer & Kellmann (2017) found that after systematic breathing, the participants performed substantially better than the control sessions.
The study found that the slow breathing intervention produced a moderate to very large (d=0.91 to 2.50) effect on reducing blood lactate levels at multiple measurement points which helps improving recovery and performance. Thus, the conclusion of this study has also shown that the use of PST, breathing exercise can increase the accuracy of the penalty kick among young soccer players.
The accuracy of a penalty kick in soccer can be improved with psychological preparation and progressive muscle relaxation through respiratory exercise, according to this report. In order to achieve optimum performance on athletes, it is also essential to concentrate on mental conditioning in addition to physical training. It has also been discovered to be one of the required prerequisite variables for a good penalty kick execution in soccer. During the creation of a training programme for young athletes focused on particular sports, trainers and coaches must pay attention to adequate mental. Moreover, trainers might find the current outcome useful in structuring training programs to meet the needs of the game.
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