Aim: The objective of this study is to compare self-confidence levels of taekwondo athletes and dancers. Method: A total of 231 licensed athletes-taekwondo athletes (n=106) and dancers (n=125) in dance and taekwondo clubs of Samsun, İstanbul and Muğla voluntarily participated in the study. The data were collected through questionnaires on the web. “Demographic Information Form” developed by the researchers and “Self-confidence Scale” developed by Akın (2007) were used as data collection tool. The data were analyzed with SPSS 21 program. Results: Total score averages of athletes’ self-confidence levels were compared in terms of branch, gender, occupation and level of income. Although taekwondo athletes and dancers were found to have high levels of self-confidence, dancers’ self-confidence score averages were higher than those of taekwondo athletes (p<0.05). In branches, gender variable was not found to cause difference between self-confidence scores (p>0.05). Level of income was found to cause difference in self-confidence level scores (p<0.05). Years in sports was not found to cause difference in athletes’ level of self-confidence (p>0.01). When the athletes were compared in terms of participation in international competitions, self-confidence levels of those who did were significantly higher than those who did not (p<0.05). Conclusion: Taekwondo athletes and dancers were found to have high levels of self-confidence, with dancers having higher levels. It was concluded that gender did not cause difference in self-confidence level while participation in international competitions influenced self-confidence. It can be said that dancers’ being more in communication with social environment is a factor in their high self-confidence levels.
Keywords: Dance, Self-Confidence, Sport, Taekwondo
Doi: 10.17363/SSTB.2018.28.6
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