Sport and Exercise Psychology
Final Paper
Victoria Duncan
Gardner-Webb University
PSYC320-O Exercise and Sports Psychology
06/22/24
Psychological Skills Coaching Plan
The subject has recently decided to apply to the police academy in a few months. The subject has been having trouble getting in shape to complete the required physical activities to pass so they decided to hire a MT Coach. The MT Coach has noticed some things that they believe can help the subject improve and complete the physical fitness test coming up in a few months.
The MT Coach noticed that when the subject lifts a dummy that weighs 160lbs, they tend to hold their breath when moving the weight. The MT Coach believes that this is hold the subject back from being able to lift more weight more efficiently. One of the physical tests to pass is being able to carry a dummy that weighs 160lbs for 50ft. The MT Coach decides that for the subject to properly perform the movement of the dummy effectively the subject needs to learn about breath control. The MT Coach practices breath control with the subject by telling the subject to imagine 3 levels in their lungs. The MT Coach then instructs the subject to breath in filling the bottom level first. The MT Coach then instructs the subject to let the air out, this results in the subject being able to move the dummy further faster.
The MT Coach decided to implement an imagery training program that is based around the guidelines of the PETTLEP model. In order to help with the task of doing 30 pushups in one minute. The PETTLEP model is when the subject uses imagery as they are doing the desired task. This can also be applied to another task that the subject would like to accomplish. The PETTLEP model also encourages the subject to wear the clothes that they will wear when completing the physical activities as it has been shown to help athletes perform better during the real game.
The MT Coach informs the subject they think introducing motor reproduction into the subject’s workouts specifically when training for the scaling of a fence. When watching the subject, the MT Coach noticed that the subject seemed to know all the correct steps but wasn’t coordinating their muscles with their thoughts resulting in the subject struggling. When implementing motor reproduction into workouts it can increase the subject’s self-confidence and result in better results in the subject’s physical activity, specifically here scaling a fence.
The MT Coach thinks that the subject should start focusing on mastery-approach goals. The subject has to run 1.5 mile without stopping in 20 minutes. The MT Coach thinks that this approach to future goals will help the subject better than other goal settings. The subject starts of at running a 1.5 mile in 27 minutes. The MT Coach introduces the mastery-approach goal and give the subject a new goal of completing the 1.5 mile in a shorter amount of time by the end of each week. Ultimately the subject will keep comparing themselves to their previous performance until the subject can run a 1.5 mile in 20 minutes.
The MT Coach thinks that adding an internal attentional focus to the subject’s training routine can help get them into the correct headspace before performing the four-foot broad jump. The MT Coach teaches the subject how to look at the jump that the subject will be making and think through and analyze how much force and other physical actions are needed to clear the jump. The MT Coach tells the subject to think through the actions that the subject will take before moving to complete the task, so the subject knows what to expect.
Jonathan Rhodes, Karol Nedza, Jon May & Lucie Clements (08 Apr 2024):
Imagery training for athletes with low imagery abilities, Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2024.2337019
The purpose of this study was to determine if imagery skills could be developed in subjects who demonstrated low imagery abilities. 329 semi-professional and professional athletes across 9 sports participated in the study. Initially all subjects completed the Plymouth sensory imagery questionnaire. Subjects who scored in the bottom 10% were determined to be low imagers. These 27 subjects received an intervention that used functional imagery training. They collected quantitative data throughout the study and qualitative data at the end via interviews. One group immediately received intervention of the functional imagery training and the other group had a delay before starting functional imagery training. Both groups were given the test a total of 4 times to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Results from the test showed that after receiving functional imagery training, scores on the PSI-Q increased in a statically significant manner for both groups. Results appeared consistent, with each group showing increases immediately after the intervention and remaining months after the training.
The limitations that the authors describe are variations in the training environments, difference of goals based on the sport, leading questions during interviews, and bias arising from the pressure to finish the given homework task. The implications of this study are to encourage those working with athletes to assess imagery ability and provide a personalized strategy, regardless of initial imagery ability. These findings are relevant to the subject by demonstrating that a cohesive training plan can improve imagery abilities, even for individuals who demonstrate a low initial aptitude. Future study might include a longer longitudinal study, analyzing the impact over a longer period of time In addition, researching to see if there was a increase in athlete performance related to the reported gains in imagery skill.
Bird, Matthew D, et al. “Goal-Setting Practices in Sport Psychology: An Investigation into Practitioner Experiences.” Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 11 Apr. 2024, pp. 1–25, https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2024.2331205.
The purpose of this study was to recognize how goal settings used by SPPs in applied practice. In stage 1 they created a multi method survey that was used to identify SPPs in using goal settings, how people set goals, and what were the outcomes that they expected because of the goals they set. In sage two the researchers conduct interviews to explore SPPs’ successful and unsuccessful experience with setting goals. It was during stage two that additional insight was obtained on how practitioners set goals developed through stage 1. This study is qualitative and quantitative as they had a survey and interview section. The results showed that more than more than 2/3 of practitioners reported using goal settings with individual clients, and more than 75% practitioners reported using goal setting when doing group client sessions.
There were some limitations that the author noted in the paper these limitations include the fact that goal setting is a dynamic process and dependent on the client and practitioner. The practitioner being able to set the right type of goals with the client and being able to follow up on the progress. Finally, sports psychology practitioners you should collaborate with clients through the goal setting process but also provide clients with the ability to select their own goals.
When reading through this study I would say that this study was very well done, and the research was very consistent throughout the study. The implications this study has on future research and future coaching sessions is, this study proved that goal setting with someone to hold you accountable a practitioner for example is more likely to push the subject farther.
If I was continuing the research in this area I would definitely want to research more into if specific people hold more power over clients completing their goals compared to others. For example, does an MT Coach have better results than a practitioner or physical therapist.
Chapter 13 is about arousal regulation; it is easy to see that anxiety reduction techniques play a prominent role in the chapter. Proverbs 3: 5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” I believe that this relates to the cognitive relaxation response techniques that we see in the book. One of the activities recommended in our text to reduce anxiety is focusing on a meaningful thought or word. This particular Bible verse also advises the reader to focus their attention onto a single thought, in this case, trust in the Lord.
Genesis 15:1-6 is the story of Gods covenant with Abram. Abram is having trouble understanding the lords promises to him. God takes Abram outside and shows him the stars to help him visualize how many descendants he will have. Chapter 14 discusses how imagery, particularly vivid imagery can boost performance.
A verse that I feel relates to confidence is Hebrews 10:35-39. In this verse they are talking about you having confidence in God and the plan that he has for your life. A good way to connect this is trusting the coach to take you where you would like to be as an athlete. This is similar to the relationship between coaching efficacy and collective efficacy.
For goal setting, there are different kinds of goals for example, outcome goals and process goals. A verse that I think relates to this is Proverbs 24:27. This verse gives advice on the fact that you cannot wake up one day and build a house you have to have a plan and forethought before building the house.
1 Corinthians 7:35 is the verse that I thought of when thinking of concentration. In the verse they talk about providing your undivided attention to the Lord. When you need to concentrate on something with no distractions you have to give that thing your undivided attention.
References
Bird, M. D., McEwan, D., Healy, L. C., & Jackman, P. C. (2024). Goal-setting practices in sport psychology: An investigation into practitioner experiences. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2024.2331205
Rhodes, J., Nedza, K., May, J., & Clements, L. (2024). Imagery training for athletes with low imagery abilities. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2024.2337019
Topical Bible - Bible Verses by Topic. (2019). Openbible.info. https://www.openbible.info/topics/