Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between mental training with biofeedback and performance. An adapted version of the Wingate five-step approach was used as a mental preparation technique for enhancing the swimming performance among 11-14-year-old children swimmers. Participants (n = 38) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (a) experimental-regular training plus three stages of the Wingate mental training program, and (b) control-regular training and relaxing activities. After a baseline measurement, participants were tested on evaluation scores and actual performance twice during a 14-week period. Results indicated that the experimental group exhibited a greater increase in performance, although the control group also displayed some improvements. Results are discussed in reference to previous work on the Wingate approach to mental training. In addition, several methodological and theoretical aspects are discussed that are particularly relevant to the use of such interventions with other athletic tasks among children, adolescents, and adults.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 567-581 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Applied Psychology |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 2002 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- Applied Psychology