Psychological characteristics of developing excellence in talented female field hockey players.

Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence (PCDEs) are a range of psychological factors that play a key role in the realisation of potential. We examined PCDE profiles across a female national talent development field hockey programme in North America. Two-hundred-and-sixty-seven players completed the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire version 2 (PCDEQ-2) prior to the competitive season. One-hundred-and-fourteen players were classified as juniors (under-18) and 153 as seniors (over-18). Eighty-five players were classified as non-selected (not-selected to their age-group national team), and 182 as selected (selected to their age-group national team). A MANOVA showed multivariate differences based on age, selection status and their interaction, within this already homogenous sample, suggesting that sub-groups within this sample vary depending on their overall PCDE profiles. ANOVA showed differences in imagery and active preparation, perfectionist tendencies and clinical indicators between juniors and seniors. Furthermore, differences in imagery and active preparation, and perfectionist tendencies, were observed between selected and non-selected players. Subsequently, four individual cases were identified for further analysis based on their multivariate distance to the average PCDE profile. The use of the PCDEQ-2 at group- and particularly at individual-levels seems an important tool to support athletes as they navigate their development journey.

Effect of motor imagery on enjoyment in knee-injury prevention and rehabilitation training: A randomized crossover study.

OBJECTIVES: The novel MOTor Imagery to Facilitate Sensorimotor Re-Learning (MOTIFS) model takes a uniquely holistic approach by integrating mental and physical aspects into current training programs. The aim of this trial was to evaluate enjoyment of MOTIFS training as compared to Care-as-Usual (CaU) knee injury and/or rehabilitation training. The primary hypothesis was that enjoyment would be greater following MOTIFS training than CaU training. DESIGN: Block-randomized 2×2 cross-over trial. METHODS: Thirty athletes (18-31years, 50% women) currently or previously active in team ball sports, with no pain or injury preventing jump and/or directional changes. MOTIFS training integrates sport-specific experiences and equipment into physical exercises to increase individualized realism and meaning. The CaU condition included solely physical exercise. The main outcome was the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Secondary outcomes included Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM; subscales Valence, Arousal, Dominance), Perceived exertion, pulse, duration, and movement quality. RESULTS: PACES scores were better following MOTIFS training than CaU (point estimate 24.67; 95% CI: 19.0; 30.3). Between-groups differences in SAM Valence (median 2, quartiles 1;3), Arousal (median 1, quartiles 0;2.25), and Dominance (median 0.5, quartiles 0;2), and RPE (median 1, quartiles -0.3;2), training duration (mean 5.34, 95% CI: -0.17; -0.73), and pulse (median 7.50, quartiles 0.25;16.75) were higher following MOTIFS training than CaU training. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the MOTIFS model, which integrates simultaneous physical and psychological interventions, is a clinically plausible method of influencing enjoyment and other psychological outcomes. Further studies may explore effects of the MOTIFS principles on injury prevention and rehabilitation training.

Does priming really put the gloss on performance?

Priming has recently emerged in the literature as offering advantages in the preparation for skilled performance. Accordingly, the current study tested the efficacy of imagery against a priming paradigm as a means of enhancing motor performance: in essence, contrasting a preparation technique primarily under the conscious control of the performer to an unconscious technique promoting automaticity. The imagery intervention was guided by the PETTLEP model, while the priming intervention took the form of a scrambled sentence task. Eighteen skilled field-hockey players performed a dribbling task under imagery, priming, skill-focus, and control conditions. Results revealed a significant improvement in speed and technical accuracy for the imagery condition as opposed to the skill-focus, control, and priming conditions. In addition, there were no significant differences in performance times or technical accuracy between the priming and control conditions. The study provides further support for the efficacy of imagery to elicit enhanced motor skill performance but questions the emerging emphasis on priming as an effective tool in preparation for physical tasks.

A reversal theory analysis of psychological responses during sports injury rehabilitation.

CONTEXT: Few studies have examined psychological and emotional processes in injury rehabilitation from a longitudinal, theoretically framed perspective. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the applicability of Reversal Theory to examine these processes. SETTING: University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK. PARTICIPANTS: Three severely injured athletes; two were female (karate and judo) and one was male (hockey), aged 20 to 28. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fortnightly interviews after participant's initial consultation with a sports therapist, until complete physical rehabilitation. RESULTS: Supported the use of Reversal Theory in this context (eg, as a means of understanding the origins of athletes' emotional responses to injury and changes in these responses throughout rehabilitation). CONCLUSIONS: Suggestions for future research are made (eg, examining the consequences of emotional and metamotivational states for athlete behavior and recovery outcomes during rehabilitation).