Abstract

This research is aimed to study the effect of mental imagery and muscular relaxation trainings on the emotional intelligence of karate national team of Iran. The research is a two-group experimental research with pretest and posttest, and the statistical population includes 70 adult members of national karate team in the areas of male Kata and Kumite that 15 male members were selected as the experimental group and from among the third year high school students who were participating in one of sports fields for three consecutive years, 15 individuals were randomly selected as the control group. The measurement tool includes Bar-on Emotional Intelligence Inventory (1997). This test includes 90 items measuring subjects in 15 subtests and 5 interpersonal scopes, including: 5 components of emotional self-awareness (ES), assertiveness (AS), self-regard (SR), independence (IN) and self-actualization (SA); intrapersonal scope, including: 3 components of empathy (EM), interpersonal relationships (IR) and social responsibility (RE); compatibility scope, including: 3 components of problem solving (PS), reality testing (RT) and flexibility (FL); stress management scope, including: 2 components of stress tolerance (ST) and impulse control (IC); and general mood scope, including: 2 components of happiness (HA) and optimism (OP). Data were analyzed through the multivariate covariance analysis. Findings showed that there was a significant difference between two experimental and control groups in terms of emotional intelligence (P<0.01). In addition, results showed that mental imagery and muscular relaxation trainings were effective on five scopes of the emotional intelligence and had the maximum effect on the stress management scope.