Psychological readiness in professional bullfighters: role, experience, and recent exposure
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v81.119070Keywords:
Bull, Professional bullfighting, psychological skills, high-risk performance, performanceAbstract
Introduction. Professional bullfighting constitutes a performance context characterized by real risk, high uncertainty, and substantial psychophysiological demands, requiring specific psychological resources to ensure effective and safe performance.
Objective. The study aimed to characterize the psychological profile of professional bullfighters in the domains of basic, psychosomatic, and cognitive skills; to compare this profile across different professional roles; and to explore, in an integrated manner, the influence of role, accumulated experience, and recent practice volume on the global psychological index.
Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 51 Portuguese male professional bullfighters. Participants completed the Ottawa Mental Skills Assessment Tool (OMSAT-3). Descriptive analyses were performed, along with non-parametric tests for correlation and comparison across professional roles, and quantile regression was used for multivariate analysis.
Results. High levels were observed in foundational and cognitive competencies, with comparatively weaker psychosomatic competencies, especially in fear management and stress reactions, as well as differences between professional categories. Quantile regression indicated that the volume of recent practice was positively associated with several psychological domains, while accumulated experience was not predictive. Discussion. The findings were consistent with previous research in bullfighting and other high-risk sports, highlighting the importance of continued exposure for psychophysiological regulation and psychological preparation.
Conclusions. The psychological profile of professional bullfighters appears to be more closely associated with recent practice volume and the role performed.
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