The Effect of Goal Setting Difficulty on Serving Success in Table Tennis and the Mediating Mechanism of Self-regulation

Abstract

Goal setting difficulty has been shown to contribute to athletic performance (Burton et al., 2000). However, the potential mediating mechanism of goal difficulty on performance is unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to verify the effect of goal setting difficulty on serving success in table tennis, and determine if self-regulation is the mediating variable. The current study used serving success within a one minute period as the task, and the “Athlete’s Self-regulation in Motor Learning” as the measurement tool. The experiment was designed as a 3 (serving frequency: 20/min, 23/min, and 26/min) × 2 (serving placement: left “small triangle”, and right “small triangle”) model. Participants (N = 60) in the current study were students from a physical education school. These participants were randomly assigned into the experimental and control groups. After the intervention, differences in self-regulation (p < 0.001) and serving success (p < 0.05) between the experimental and control groups were significant. For the experimental groups, there was a significant difference in self-regulation (p < 0.001) and serving success (p < 0.05) before and after the experiment. Serving frequency had a main effect on self-regulation (F (5, 24) = 12.398, p < 0.01) and serving success (F (5, 24) = 37.601, p < 0.001). Moderately difficult goal setting contributed to athletic performance. Regression analysis using bootstrapping methods revealed that self-regulation partially mediated the relationship between the two.

Assessing personal talent determinants in young racquet sport players: a systematic review

“…Classifying these instruments by DMGT 2.0 (Gagné, 2010) reveals that most instruments are developed to measure physical aspects, which is in accordance with a part of the proposed essential characteristics of elite racquet players (Ak & Koçak, 2010;Abernethy, 1991;Banzer et al, 2008;Chin et al, 1995;Hjelm et al, 2012;Kovacs, 2007;Lees, 2003). However, mental, social and self-regulation aspects are also considered essential features (Chu et al, 2012;Jonker, Elferink-Gemser, & Visscher, 2010;Lees, 2003;Liu et al, 2012;Lopez & Santelices, 2012;Lubbers, 2006). Only a few instruments focus on the assessment of a player's intellectual or perceptual mental natural abilities, mental intrapersonal catalysts or goal management abilities (Blomqvist et al, 2000;Lane et al, 2002;Mantis et al, 1998;Panjan et al, 2010;Roetert et al, 1992).…”

“…temperature, humidity, wind, racquet materials and playing surfaces) (Bastieans, 2006;Sève, Saury, Theureau, & Durand, 2002). Finally, players need highly developed tactical skills, concentration and mental toughness throughout a match and also volition, selfregulation and social skills to persevere during the extensive development programme (Chu, Chen, Chen, Huang, & Hung, 2012;Lees, 2003;Liu, Zhou, Ji, & Watson, 2012;Lopez & Santelices, 2012;Lubbers, 2006).…”

Competition Field Perceptions of Table-tennis Athletes and their Performance

“…Table tennis players aiming to elite need to develop anticipatory psychological skills to be able to quickly and responsively adapt to continuously changing conditions ( Raab et al, 2005 ). Generally, when successful table tennis players are examined, it is seen that they increase their performance by giving importance to psychological training besides technical and tactical sessions as well as conditioning ( Liu et al, 2012 ). Moreover, they must learn the outstanding tactical skills and withstand the psychological demands including concentration and psychological toughness to reach an elite level.…”