The Analysis of Early Maladaptive Schemas which Facilitate High Performance in Women Handball and Rugby Players

Abstract Starting with the assumption of the interdependence between psyche and soma and considering the idea that performance is rooted in the history of each athlete as a unique individual, but also in the collective history of the team to which the athlete belongs, the present study aims to identify those elements in terms of early maladaptive schemas, part of each player’s personal history that stimulates a “repair and healing game” at group level, with reference to the specific sport practiced, leading to high-level athletic performance. In order to meet the objectives of the study we used the psychological instrument YSQ (Young’s Schemas Questionnaire) as individual assessment tool. Existing data were obtained from the components of two national teams, women, senior level, the national rugby 7s team, and the national handball team. There were tested two hypotheses, specifically: (1) There is a common spectrum of early maladaptive schemas for the rugby and handball players considering the similarities between the two sports; (2) There are significant differences in which it concerns early maladaptive schemas between the rugby players and the handball players, considering the specific of each sport. Both hypotheses of the study confirm, the results outlining an interesting dynamic in both sports considered.