Effectiveness a Guidance Program Combined with Specific Exercises on Reducing Psychological Stress among Players in the Stars League of Football

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a combined guidance and physical exercise program on psychological stress levels among Star League football players during competitive matches. The study is significant due to the need for validated strategies that help players regulate emotions, follow a structured mental plan, and optimize performance under competitive pressure. It aimed to determine whether the proposed program would significantly reduce psychological stress, thereby contributing to the psychological dimension of sports performance research. An experimental design with one group and two measurements (pre- and post-test) was employed. The sample consisted of 15 players from Al-Student Club competing in the Star League. The intervention lasted two months, with two sessions per week. The program integrated counseling and psycho-physical techniques, including progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, positive visualization, and structured physical exercises designed to support psychological stability. The findings demonstrated the effectiveness of the program in reducing psychological stress. The mean stress score decreased from 119.07 in the pre-test to 81.29 in the post-test, with a mean difference of 37.78 points. The calculated t-value (t = 6.845) at a significance level of 0.000 was lower than 0.05, indicating statistically significant differences in favor of the post-test. These results suggest that integrating guidance sessions with specific physical exercises effectively reduces psychological stress and enhances concentration during competition. The study recommends incorporating structured psychological-physical programs into regular training regimens to improve mental preparation and psychological performance among football players, and this achieves one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations in Iraq which is (Quality Education).