The effects of a motivational general-arousal imagery intervention upon pre-performance symptoms in male rugby union players
Author
Mellalieu, Stephen D.
Hanton, Sheldon
Thomas, Owen
Date
2009Type
Article
ISSN
1469-0292
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Objectives
To investigate the efficacy of a motivational general-arousal based imagery strategy in modifying precompetitive symptom interpretations.
Method
A staggered multiple baseline single-subject design was employed with five male collegiate rugby union players (M = 24.5; SD = 3.05). The dependent variable was monitored over a full competitive season via measures of precompetitive anxiety and affect together with follow-up social validation procedures.
Results
More facilitative interpretations of symptoms associated with competitive anxiety, and greater self-confidence levels were reported postintervention, together with changes in positive and negative affect.
Conclusions
The findings highlight the importance of employing individualized imagery with motivational general-arousal content to modify performers' perceptions of their precompetitive experiences. This effect is proposed to occur directly through adaptive changes in individuals' psychological response systems and indirectly via the protection mechanisms associated with enhanced efficacy expectations.
Journal/conference proceeding
Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Citation
Mellalieu, S.D., Hanton, S. and Thomas, O. (2009) 'The effects of a motivational general-arousal imagery intervention upon preperformance symptoms in male rugby union players', Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 10(1), pp.175-185.
Description
This article was published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise on 12 July 2008 (online), available at http:dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2008.07.003
Collections
- Sport Research Groups [620]