Intervening with athletes during the time leading up to competition: Theory to practice II

Abstract

Second in a linked series, this study was the first in applied literature to test the efficacy of an evidenced based temporal anxiety intervention (cf. Thomas, Hanton & Maynard, 2007) over competitive performance and anxiety responses (intensity, direction and frequency of intrusions) during the time preceding competition. Using a single-subject multiple-baseline design, the three phase intervention programme provided positive effects over ecologically valid measures of performance and anxiety and confidence responses throughout the time preceding performance in three elite field hockey players. Thomas designed the study, collected and analysed the data, and was the primary writer of the manuscript.