Do Different Interdependencies within a Sport Affect the Perceived Motivational Climate, Use of Spontaneous Self-Talk, Positivity or Precompetitive Anxiety?

Comparative studies often find conflicting psychological differences between individual and team sports, likely due to mixing sports with different levels of interdependence and structures. To address this issue, this study focused on the same sport, comparing individual rhythmic (IR) and team rhythmic (TR) gymnastics modalities. The study aimed to assess differences in the perceived motivational climate, self-talk, positivity, and precompetitive anxiety between these two groups, and to identify psychological predictors of precompetitive anxiety. Seventy-six senior female gymnasts were divided into IR (n = 41, aged 15.41 ± 2.47 years) and TR (n = 35, aged 15.22 ± 2.59 years) groups. Results showed that TR gymnasts perceived a greater ego-involved climate, indicating higher intra-team rivalry, and used more positive self-talk in training, leading to better confidence and concentration. However, no significant differences in overall positivity were found. IR gymnasts increased their use of positive self-talk from training to competition, whereas TR gymnasts remained consistent. Self-confidence was lower in IR gymnasts, though both groups had similar levels of somatic and cognitive anxiety. While IR gymnasts showed more associations with competitive anxiety, the predictors of anxiety were the same for both groups: negative self-talk during training and positivity. In conclusion, the study highlights the role of positivity and self-talk in managing competitive anxiety, with a focus on controlling team rivalry in TR gymnastics and promoting self-confidence and positive self-talk in IR gymnastics specially during training. The study recommends grouping sports by interdependence and structures to better understand psychological differences between individual and team sports.