1,721,213 research outputs found
Stressors, coping, and coping effectiveness among players from the England under-18 rugby union team
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine stressors, coping strategies, and perceived coping, effectiveness among international adolescent rugby players. Eleven English international adolescent rugby union players (M age = 17.9 years) maintained diaries over a 31-day period. The diaries included a stressor checklist, an open-ended coping responses section, and a Likert-type scale evaluation of coping effectiveness. Total reported stressors and coping strategies for the 31-day period were tallied, and the data were subsequently analyzed longitudinally. Overall, the most frequently-cited stressors were making a physical error, receiving coach/parental criticism, making a mental error, injury, and observing an opponent play well. The most frequently cited coping strategies were blocking, increased effort, and taking advice. Coping effectiveness appeared to be related to the choice of the coping strategy deployed. Strategies such as blocking and technical adjustments were generally rated as being more effective than strategies such as self-talk and increasing effort
Relationship between physical self-perceptions and body composition following a 10 week exercise program for previously sedentary participants.
No full textThe aim of the present study was to investigate whether body composition and engagement in an exercise program
influenced participants’ physical self-perceptions. The study consisted of 92 participants, 40 males and 52 females; with an average age of 31.9± 9.37 years. The Physical Self-Perception Profile was used to assess physical self-perceptions(PSPP; Fox & Corbin, 1989). Body fat percentage was measured using a bioelectrical impedance analyser (RJL systems,Detroit). In addition, height,weight, BMI and WHR was assessed. The study consisted of an exercise intervention group (N = 72) and a control group (N = 20). Participants in the intervention group attended public gyms in North-west London.Measurements were taken at the induction session and after a 10 week intervention period. All participants were provided with an individual training program which followed the ACSM guidelines. Adherence was assessed by means of an electronic entry card to the gym facilities and a self-report measure.
For statistical analysis the participants in the exercise
group were categorised as either adherers (> 30 sessions; N = 35), and non-adherers (< 30 sessions; N= 26). Repeated
measures analysis of variance [3 (adherers, non-adherers, control) x 2 (pre-, post-test)] and follow-up post-hoc
comparisons showed that the adherers had a significant decrease in % body fat and BMI and a significant increase on the body, condition and strength subscales of the PSPP
from pre- to the post-test.Additionally, correlational analysis for the change in the dependent variables from pre- to post-test showed only significant correlations for the adherers. The participants who adhered to the exercise program showed significant changes in their body composition
in terms of a decrease in % body fat and BMI and this change was associated with perceiving oneself in better physical condition, and stronger. They were also more satisfied with their physique. These findings partially support Fox’s (1997) intervention hypothesis in that engaging in regular physical exercise and its associated physical changes can positively alter participants’ physical self-perceptions
Elite athletes' experiences of coping with stress
No full textThere has been consistent interest in the mental aspects associated with sport performance. In the last few decades researchers have tried to identify psychological as well as physical factors which might be detrimental or beneficial to athletic performance. There is some evidence to suggest that successful athletes (e.g. Gould, Dieffenbach and Moffett, 2002; Thomas and Over, 1994). Similarly, mental preparation has been considered to be a key to success (e.g. Krane and Williams, 2010). Sport psychology, in this respect, can provide athletes with tools to achieve their true potential and make sport a satisfactory experience rather than leaving this down to chance
The effects of an individualized imagery interventions on flow states and golf performance
Full text linkThe primary aims of this study were to investigate the effects of an imagery intervention on the intensity and frequency of flow states and golf performance. A secondary purpose was to examine participants’ experiences of the delivery of the intervention. Adopting a single subject ABA research design, individualized imagery interventions were delivered over a 12-week period to four high-performance amateur golfers (one female, three male, aged 20-23 years). Golf performance was assessed via a participant-selected golf skill. Flow experiences were measured by the Flow State Scale-2, and the Dispositional Flow Scale-2 (Jackson & Eklund, 2002). Results suggested that three of the four participants increased mean global flow intensity, and all four golfers increased mean global flow frequency and performance during the intervention and post intervention period in comparison to baseline. The participants also perceived that their imagery ability had improved because of the intervention
ACL Injury Rehabilitation: A Psychological Case Study of a Professional Rugby Union Player
No full textThe aim of this case study was to investigate the emotional factors and coping strategies used by a professional rugby union player during rehabilitation from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. A dominant (qualitative) - less dominant (quantitative) mixed methodological approach was established concurrent with the athlete's rehabilitation. Twice monthly interviews and a self-report diary were completed throughout the rehabilitation process. Six questionnaires were used to assess specific aspects of injury rehabilitation identified from previous literature, including emotional response, coping, social support, and perceived autonomy. Content analysis of each phase of the rehabilitation process established 34 higher-order themes split into two general dimensions: Influential Emotions or Coping Strategies. Findings highlight the benefit of problem-focused coping to improve autonomy and confidence. A sequential movement through a series of emotions (shock, depression, relief, encouragement, and confidence building) was also identified. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHO
Pacing in sport and exercise: a psychophysiological perspective
Full text link"Pacing in sport and exercise: a psychophysiological perspective" is the first book which comprehensively examines the way humans pace exercise and sporting activities. This concept represents an exciting opportunity to combine the latest physiological and psychological theories with practical sport and exercise applications. The book will be an essential read for sport and exercise science academics, students, coaches, athletes and general exercise enthusiasts.
Pacing is the strategy by which effort is managed across an exercise bout in relation to a specific goal and in the knowledge of the likely demands of the task. It is widely recognised that individuals distribute effort across a task and this is in evidence during all non-reflex exercise situations where individuals are able to receive and act upon neural feedback from peripheral physiologic systems. As such, pacing across a wide range of sport and exercise contexts is investigated and explained. Sporting activities as diverse as sprinting, soccer, triathlon, rowing and cycling are discussed. In addition, training methodologies to improve the ability to self-pace exercise are reviewed and a self-regulatory system to optimize training across all exercise types is proposed. Templates for consolidating training sessions, design and monitoring strategies are included. Pacing in relation to specific population groups such as children, overweight/obese individuals and those with chronic or acute illnesses is also discussed. Finally, it is hoped this new book will stimulate further research, growth and awareness of this important topic
A Cumulative Stress and Training Continuum Model: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Unexplained Underperformance Syndrome
No full textThis article provides an understanding of the unexplained underperformance syndrome (UPS; Budgett, Newsholme, Lehmann, et al. 19994. Budgett, R, Newsholme, E, Lehmann, M, Sharp, C, Jones, D, Peto, T, Collins, D, Nerurkar, R and White, P. 1999. Redefining the overtraining syndrome as the unexplained underperformance syndrome. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 34: 67–68.
View all references) and the problems surrounding the current presentation of it. This was done in terms of processes and outcomes. Recommendations for a more stringent usage of terms was provided. Based on Selye’s (1956)27. Selye, H. 1956. The Stress of Life, New York: McGraw-Hill.
View all references General Adaptation Theory and a model described by Kenttä and Hassmén (199816. Kenttä, G and Hassmén, P. 1998. Overtraining and recovery—a conceptual model. Sports Medicine, 26: 1–26.
View all references; 200217. Kereszty, A. 1971. “Overtraining”. In Encyclopaedia of Sports Sciences and Medicine, Edited by: Larson, LA and Herrmann, DE. 218–222. New York: Macmillan.
View all references), a Cumulative Stress and Training Continuum Model was put forward that incorporates both the continuum paradigm and the supercompensation cycle model of training. These models, combined with a multidisciplinary approach, provide a useful framework for understanding the processes and outcomes of athletic performance in general and the unexplained underperformance syndrome in particular. The Cumulative Stress and Training Continuum Model emphasizes the complex interactions between the many factors affecting UPS and their weblike, cumulative, and synergistic relationships. Such an approach assists in explaining how seemingly nonsignificant factors in their own right could exert disproportionate importance and effect. Also, it emphasizes the individual variability and susceptibility to UPS as well as the fluctuations within a given individual. The unique contribution of the Cumulative Stress and Training Continuum Model put forward in the present article is that it is a truly inclusive and holistic model for addressing UPS
Gender differences in Appraisal and Coping: An examination of the situational and dispositional hypothesis
No full textThis study investigated gender differences in appraisal and coping among a sample of male and female soccer players. Two hundred and seventy-one participants (male n = 138; female n = 133; M age = 20.16 years, SD = 2.97) rated stress intensity and perceived control, and completed the MCOPE (Crocker & Graham, 1995) in response to three different experimenter defined stress scenarios. Results revealed that the females rated two scenarios with less perceived control and one scenario with higher stress intensity. Gender differences in coping, after controlling for stress intensity and control, were found across the three scenarios. This finding provides tentative support for the dispositional hypothesis. The results suggest that males and females differ in their preference for the use of certain coping strategies and that gender is a moderator in the stress appraisal and coping process
Relaxing Music for Anxiety Control
No full textThe purpose of this investigation was to determine the characteristics of relaxing music for anxiety control. Undergraduate students (N=84) were instructed to imagine themselves in an anxiety producing situation while listening to a selection of 30 music compositions. For each composition, level of relaxation, the factors that either enhanced or detracted from its relaxing potential and the emotional labels attached were assessed. Participants were also asked to state which music components (e.g., tempo, melody) were most conducive to relaxation. Additional information was obtained through the use of a focus group of 6 undergraduate music students. This paper presents details on the characteristics of relaxing-music for anxiety control and emotional labels attached to the relaxing compositions. Furthermore, an importance value has been attached to each of the music components under scrutiny, thus providing an indication of which music components should receive greatest attention when selecting music for anxiety control
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