Getting the butterflies to fly in formation: A review on the modulating effect of attentional control on motor and visual aspects of sports performance under pressure

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] The quiet eye (QE) represents the time needed to cognitively process information being fixated or tracked and to focus attention on the demands of the task (Vickers, 2009). Research indicates that an optimal combination of QE, attentional control, and gaze behavior is linked with superior skill execution (Harle and Vickers, 2001), and that the successful integration of these attentional behaviors may also combat the negative effects that anxiety can have on performance (e.g., Vine and Wilson, 2011). To advance the research on QE training in pressurized interceptive timing tasks (Vickers, 2016), this mixed-method study explored how QE training impacted the hitting performances of Division I baseball players during a pressure situation. The results showed that, despite experiencing more overall anxiety, the QE group maintained performance under pressure. A main effect for group also approached significance, with the QE group nearly outperforming the control group. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Regardless, analyses of the participants' written feedback indicated that the QE group reported greater task-focus, less distractibility, improved pitch perception, and reduced muscle tension. Taken together, these findings provide strong support for implementing QE training in interceptive timing tasks, particularly as it relates to preserving performance under pressure.

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Anxiety, Ego Depletion, and Sports Performance

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.34.5.580 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 580-599 ◽

Cited By ~ 65

Author(s):

Chris Englert ◽

Alex Bertrams

Keyword(s):

Present Article ◽

State Anxiety ◽

Ego Depletion ◽

Self Control ◽

Sports Performance ◽

Significant Relation ◽

Free Throw ◽

Control Strength ◽

Performance Under Pressure

In the present article, we analyzed the role of self-control strength and state anxiety in sports performance. We tested the hypothesis that self-control strength and state anxiety interact in predicting sports performance on the basis of two studies, each using a different sports task (Study 1: performance in a basketball free throw task, N = 64; Study 2: performance in a dart task, N = 79). The patterns of results were as expected in both studies: Participants with depleted self-control strength performed worse in the specific tasks as their anxiety increased, whereas there was no significant relation for participants with fully available self-control strength. Furthermore, different degrees of available self-control strength did not predict performance in participants who were low in state anxiety, but did in participants who were high in state anxiety. Thus increasing self-control strength could reduce the negative anxiety effects in sports and improve athletes’ performance under pressure.

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Theory evolution of the relationship between competitive pressure, attentional control and sports performance

Advances in Psychological Science ◽

10.3724/sp.j.1042.2021.01122 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 1122

Author(s):

Guoxiao SUN ◽

Liwei ZHANG

Keyword(s):

Attentional Control ◽

Competitive Pressure ◽

Sports Performance ◽

The Relationship

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Factores psicosociales que contribuyen al éxito deportivo de jugadores universitarios de balonmano

Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte ◽

10.6018/cpd.356191 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 261-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

María Grethel Ramírez-Siqueiros ◽

Oswaldo Ceballos-Gurrola ◽

Rosa Elena Medina-Rodríguez ◽

Marina Reyes-Robles ◽

Fernando Bernal-Reyes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Context ◽

Attentional Control ◽

Mental Toughness ◽

Sports Performance ◽

Psychosocial Characteristics ◽

Related Factors ◽

Self Confidence ◽

The Social ◽

The University ◽

Psychological Inventory

El objetivo del presente estudio fue identificar los factores de dureza mental y contexto social que contribuyen al éxito deportivo según la posición de jugadores universitarios de balonmano. Participaron 212 jugadores de equipos representativos. Para evaluar la dureza mental se aplicó el Inventario Psicológico de Ejecución Deportiva (IPED) y la contribución del contexto social se evaluó mediante el Cuestionario sobre la Percepción de los Factores Relacionados con la Excelencia en el Deporte (PFED). Los análisis mostraron que la dureza mental interpretada a través del control atencional muestra diferencias por posiciones (K = 14,21; p < 0,05), los laterales presentan puntuaciones superiores respecto a porteros, pivotes, centrales y extremos (p < 0,05). Respecto al contexto social, se obtuvieron diferencias entre posiciones de juego. Para los laterales, el factor de mayor contribución a su excelencia deportiva son sus propias habilidades (K = 11,08; p < 0,05), mientras que para porteros es la naturaleza del entrenamiento (K = 10,08; p < 0,05). Se concluye que las características psicosociales son diferentes en función de la posición de juego del jugador universitario de balonmano. El entrenador, la familia, la naturaleza y características del entrenamiento son los factores que más contribuyen al éxito deportivo y a su vez incrementan la autoconfianza del jugador. The objective of the present study was to identify the factors of mental toughness and social context that contribute to sporting success according to the position of college handball players. Participants were 212 representative teams players. To evaluate the mental toughness we applied the Psychological Inventory of Sports Performance (IPED) and the contribution of the social context was assessed using the Questionnaire on the Perception of the Related Factors with the Excellence in Sport (PFED). The analyzed showed that mental toughness interpreted through attentional control shows differences by positions (K = 14,21; p < 0,05), the sided have higher scores with respect to goalkeeper, pivots, central and back position (p < 0,05). Regarding the social context, there were differences between playing positions. For the sides, factor the greatest contribution to their sporting excellence are their own skills (K = 11,08; p < 0,05), whereas for goalkeepers is the training nature (K = 10,08; p < 0,05). It is concluded that the psychosocial characteristics are different depending on the playing position of the university handball player. The coach, family, nature and characteristics of the training are the factors that contribute most to sport success and in turn increase the self-confidence. O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar os fatores de tenacidade mental e contexto social que contribuem para o sucesso esportivo de acordo com a posição dos jogadores de handebol universitário. Os participantes foram 212 jogadores das equipes representativas. Para avaliar a tenacidade mental foi aplicado o Inventário Psicológico do Desempenho Esportivo (IPED) e a contribuição do contexto social foi avaliada por meio do Questionário de Percepção dos Fatores Relacionados à Excelência no Esporte (PFED). Os analisados mostraram que a dureza mental interpretada pelo controle de atenção apresenta diferenças por posições (K = 14,21; p < 0,05), os lados apresentam maiores pontuações em relação ao goleiro, pivôs, posição central e traseira (p < 0,05). Em relação ao contexto social, houve diferenças entre as posições de jogo. Para os lados, a maior contribuição para sua excelência esportiva são suas próprias habilidades (K = 11,08; p < 0,05), enquanto que para os goleiros e centrais são as natureza do treinamento (K = 10,08; p < 0,05). Conclui-se que as características psicossociais são diferentes dependendo da posição de jogo do jogador de handebol da universidade. O treinador, a família, a natureza e as características do treinamento são os fatores que mais contribuem para o sucesso esportivo e, por sua vez, aumentam a autoconfiança.

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Adverse life events, cardiovascular responses, and sports performance under pressure

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports ◽

10.1111/sms.12928 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 340-347 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Lee J. Moore ◽

Tom Young ◽

Paul Freeman ◽

Mustafa Sarkar

Keyword(s):

Life Events ◽

Cardiovascular Responses ◽

Sports Performance ◽

Adverse Life Events ◽

Performance Under Pressure

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Influencia del control del estrés en el rendimiento deportivo: la autoconfianza, la ansiedad y la concentración en deportistas (Influence of stress control in the sports performance: self-confidence, anxiety and concentration in athletes)

Retos ◽

10.47197/retos.v0i32.50895 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 3-6

Author(s):

Gloria González Campos ◽

Pedro Valdivia-Moral ◽

Javier Cachón Zagalaz ◽

Felix Zurita Ortega ◽

Oscar Romero-Ramos

Keyword(s):

Attentional Control ◽

Psychological Characteristics ◽

Football Players ◽

Sports Performance ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Control Scale ◽

Psychological Variables ◽

Stress Control ◽

Self Confidence ◽

Concentration Levels

En esta investigación se realiza un estudio sobre el control del estrés en deportistas, utilizando como muestra 100 jugadores de fútbol semiprofesionales. Se parte de la consideración de que controlar el estrés para no llegar a estados de ansiedad es imprescindible, ya que alcanzar estos estados provoca efectos negativos en otras variables psicológicas del deportista, disminuyendo su autoconfianza y perjudicando el control atencional. El objetivo de esta investigación es describir los niveles de ansiedad, autoconfianza y atención-concentración en futbolistas semiprofesionales, mediante el análisis de la variable psicológica control del estrés. El instrumento utilizado para el estudio es la escala control del estrés del cuestionario de Características Psicológicas relacionadas con el Rendimiento Deportivo (CPRD). Como conclusiones del estudio, cabe destacar que desarrollar la habilidad psicológica de control del estrés, previene alcanzar estados de ansiedad y como consecuencia, posibilita mantener elevada la autoconfianza y una buena capacidad de atención-concentración durante la competición.Abstract. In this research, a study on stress management in athletes is carried out with a sample of 100 semi-professional football players. Stress control is essential for avoiding a state of anxiety, as this state may have negative effects on other psychological variables of athletes, decreasing their self-confidence and harming their attentional control. The objective of this research is to describe anxiety, self-confidence, and attention-concentration levels in semi-professional footballers by means of analysing stress control. The instrument used for the study is the stress control scale from the Psychological Characteristics related to Sports Performance (CPRD) questionnaire. As a conclusion, it is noteworthy that developing the psychological ability of controlling stress prevents the appearance of anxiety states, allowing athletes to maintain high self-confidence and good attention-concentration capacity during competitions.

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The biochemistry of drugs and doping methods used to enhance aerobic sport performance

Essays in Biochemistry ◽

10.1042/bse0440063 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

pp. 63-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Chris E. Cooper

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Uptake ◽

Oxygen Content ◽

Oxygen Delivery ◽

Sport Performance ◽

Blood Substitutes ◽

Altitude Training ◽

Blood Oxygen ◽

Oxygen Carriers ◽

Sports Performance ◽

Blood Doping

Optimum performance in aerobic sports performance requires an efficient delivery to, and consumption of, oxygen by the exercising muscle. It is probable that maximal oxygen uptake in the athlete is multifactorial, being shared between cardiac output, blood oxygen content, muscle blood flow, oxygen diffusion from the blood to the cell and mitochondrial content. Of these, raising the blood oxygen content by raising the haematocrit is the simplest acute method to increase oxygen delivery and improve sport performance. Legal means of raising haematocrit include altitude training and hypoxic tents. Illegal means include blood doping and the administration of EPO (erythropoietin). The ability to make EPO by genetic means has resulted in an increase in its availability and use, although it is probable that recent testing methods may have had some impact. Less widely used illegal methods include the use of artificial blood oxygen carriers (the so-called ‘blood substitutes’). In principle these molecules could enhance aerobic sports performance; however, they would be readily detectable in urine and blood tests. An alternative to increasing the blood oxygen content is to increase the amount of oxygen that haemoglobin can deliver. It is possible to do this by using compounds that right-shift the haemoglobin dissociation curve (e.g. RSR13). There is a compromise between improving oxygen delivery at the muscle and losing oxygen uptake at the lung and it is unclear whether these reagents would enhance the performance of elite athletes. However, given the proven success of blood doping and EPO, attempts to manipulate these pathways are likely to lead to an ongoing battle between the athlete and the drug testers.

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Measures of RSA Suppression, Attentional Control, and Negative Affect Predict Self-Ratings of Executive Functions

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027/0269-8803/a000053 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 164-173 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Brian Healy ◽

Aaron Treadwell ◽

Mandy Reagan

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Individual Differences ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia ◽

Attentional Control ◽

Executive Processes ◽

Sinus Arrhythmia ◽

Low Levels

The current study was an attempt to determine the degree to which the suppression of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and attentional control were influential in the ability to engage various executive processes under high and low levels of negative affect. Ninety-four college students completed the Stroop Test while heart rate was being recorded. Estimates of the suppression of RSA were calculated from each participant in response to this test. The participants then completed self-ratings of attentional control, negative affect, and executive functioning. Regression analysis indicated that individual differences in estimates of the suppression of RSA, and ratings of attentional control were associated with the ability to employ executive processes but only when self-ratings of negative affect were low. An increase in negative affect compromised the ability to employ these strategies in the majority of participants. The data also suggest that high attentional control in conjunction with attenuated estimates of RSA suppression may increase the ability to use executive processes as negative affect increases.

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