The Intensity and Directional Interpretation of Anxiety: Fluctuations Throughout Competition and Relationship to Performance

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Butt ◽  
Robert Weinberg ◽  
Thelma Horn

The purposes of the present investigation were twofold: (a) to investigate the fluctuations of anxiety and self-confidence throughout competition by measuring these variables retrospectively before, during, and after competition and (b) to investigate the relationship between the intensity and directional interpretation of anxiety and perceived performance across competition. Field hockey players (N = 62) completed the modified Mental Readiness Form-Likert (MRF-2) within 30 minutes after competition using the method of retrospective recall. Results indicated significant fluctuations across competition for cognitive anxiety intensity and direction, somatic anxiety intensity, and self-confidence intensity. Results also revealed that the strongest predictors of performance across both halves were self-confidence intensity and direction and cognitive anxiety direction. These findings should have important implications for practitioners and sport psychologists because anxiety measurement and confidence are critical parts of most psychological skills training programs.

2021 ◽  
pp. 173-189

The current study was designed to find out relationship between psychological skills and performance efficacy and mediating role of sportsmanship in domestic, national and international hockey players. It was a correlational research employing cross sectional research design in which the sample of 261 hockey players was recruited via purposive sampling. The assessment measures included Psychological Skills Scale for Hockey Players and Cricketers (Solomon, Malik & Kausar, 2019), Youth Sports Value Questionnaire-2 (Lee, Whitehead, & Ntoumanis, 2007) and Collective Efficacy for Sports Questionnaire (Short, Sullivan, & Feltz, 2009). Results showed a significant relationship between psychological skills, sportsmanship and performance efficacy in hockey players, however, perceivedpsychologicalsupport was found to be significant positive predictor of sportsmanship and sportsmanship coined as a significant positive predictor of performance efficacy. Furthermore, sportsmanship was found to be significant mediator between perceived psychological support and performance efficacy. This research will work as an empirical proof for Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to conduct psychological skills training for hockey players for the enhancement of their performance efficacy by signifying theimportance of sportsmanship.


2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginie de Bressy de Guast ◽  
Jim Golby ◽  
Anna Van Wersch ◽  
Fabienne d’Arripe-Longueville

This study presents a complete psychological skills training (PST) program with a wheelchair athlete and examines the program effectiveness using a mixed-method approach. After initial testing, the athlete followed a two-month program of self-confidence building, motivational, visualization/relaxation, and injury management techniques. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to examine the impacts on performance and psychological abilities. The triangulated results suggest that the PST program was perceived as effective by the athlete in terms of his sporting performances and mental skills. The characteristics and implications of a PST program with this wheelchair athlete are discussed, as well as the study limitations and the perspectives for future research.


1994 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Daw ◽  
Damon Burton

This investigation examined the impact of a comprehensive psychological skills training for tennis (PSTT) program on collegiate tennis players. PSTT players were exposed to three psychological skills (goal setting, imagery, and arousal regulation) and then given the opportunity to develop individualized PSTT programs. Program effectiveness was evaluated through (a) case study analyses, (b) intrateam analyses comparing high- and low-commitment PSTT players, and (c) interteam analyses comparing PSTT (n = 12) and non-PSTT (n = 12) players. Results indicated that the PSTT program was successful, with case studies providing strong support for the effectiveness of individual PSTT programs. Additionally, intrateam results revealed that all PSTT players felt their PSTT program helped their tennis games, although high- and low-commitment players differed significantly on only 2 of 15 psychological and performance variables. As expected, interteam results demonstrated significant differences on only 2 of 15 variables, with PSTT players displaying higher state self-confidence and committing fewer double faults than did their non-PSTT counterparts.


2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle J. Paquette ◽  
Philip Sullivan

Multiple conceptual frameworks support the link between coaches’ attitudes and behaviors, and their effect on a variety of athlete outcomes, such as performance, motivation, and athlete self-perceptions. The present study explored the relationships among coaches’ attitudes and behaviors, with respect to psychological skills training (PST), and the beliefs of their athletes. One hundred and fifteen coaches completed PST attitude (SPA-RC-revised) and behavior measures, while 403 athletes completed two perception measures (CCS and SCI). Structural Equation Modeling showed that the proposed relationships were statistically significant, except for the pathway between coaches’ attitudes and their behaviors. Results support the disconnect between coaches’ attitudes and behaviors previously established in PST research, as well as the theoretical links between coaches’ behaviors and athletes’ perceptions (i.e., evaluation of their coach and self-confidence).


2018 ◽  
Vol 165 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan Precious ◽  
A Lindsay

This paper will explain the concept behind mental resilience training (MRT) and how the training package was developed and implemented within the British ArmyInfantry Training Centre (ITC) Catterick between 2014 and 2016. MRT is a mindfulness-based psychological skills training package that integrates cognitive behavioural and mindfulness based principles and techniques, which have been proven to improve stress regulation, emotional and cognitive control and self-confidence in military personnel. MRT is based on an extensive evidence base that has demonstrated that psychological skills training delivers tangible improvements in performance in elite sport and in healthcare, business and military contexts. The initial trials at the ITC Catterick have delivered tangible improvements in infantry recruits’ use of psychological skills within real-life training contexts.


Author(s):  
Elizabeth Ann Marshall ◽  
Ann-Marie Gibson

AbstractAcrobatic gymnastics is a unique sport due to the different mixes of gender, age and number of gymnasts working in each partnership, however psychological skills training within this domain is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an imagery training intervention on acrobatic performance, self-confidence and anxiety in acrobatic gymnastics. Participants (


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 418-422
Author(s):  
Ana Vesković ◽  
Nenad Koropanovski ◽  
Milivoj Dopsaj ◽  
Srećko Jovanović

ABSTRACT Introduction To achieve an improvement in self-regulation, and consequently competitive performance, it is necessary to evaluate psychological skills training programs. It was hypothesized that the introduction of autogenic training and guided imagery could bring about positive changes in anxiety and self-confidence, as compared to regular training and competitive activities. Objective To investigate the effects of a psychological skills training program on the optimization of anxiety and self-confidence. Methods Twenty-four athletes from the Serbian national karate team were divided into experimental (EXP) and control (CON) groups. During eight weeks, both groups underwent an identical karate training and competing program. The program was adapted for top karate athletes according to their daily routines and the specific demands of the activity. In addition, the EXP group underwent the psychological skills training program, based on autogenic training and guided imagery. The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 was used to measure the multidimensional construct of the state of anxiety, and the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 to assess individual ability to imagine movements. Results Repeated measures ANOVA results indicated a difference in anxiety levels between the EXP and CON groups after the intervention. Further analysis indicated a decrease in cognitive anxiety and an increase in self-confidence among participants from the EXP group. Conclusion The applied psychological skills program had a positive effect on anxiety optimization and self-confidence levels in top karate athletes. As emotional self-regulation is also crucial for athletes of other sports, the implementation of this intervention can be recommended, provided that it is adapted to the specific characteristics of each sport. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies – Investigating treatments results.


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