Choking interventions in sports: A systematic review

ABSTRACT

Choking under pressure describes suboptimal sport performance in stressful situations, which has led to two fundamental ‘choking’ models: distraction and self-focus. The purpose of this review was to provide an overview of empirical studies that have tested interventions used to alleviate choking. The systematic review includes 47 empirical studies published up to April 2017, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and single-case studies with athletes. These studies encompassed a variety of interventions (n?=?13) that were either distraction based or self-focus based. In addition, a third group – acclimatisation interventions – was identified. The results indicate that, in general, choking interventions based on both choking models and on acclimatisation provide a benefit to performance under pressure. The most reported effective interventions were pre-performance routines, quiet eye training, left-hand contractions, and acclimatisation training. The use of dual task was beneficial for performance under pressure but harmful when used in training. Mixed evidence was found for analogy learning, and null effects were reported for goal setting, neurofeedback training, and reappraisal cues. These results may help athletes and coaches select and implement effective strategies and methods to improve performance under pressure.     

Audience support and choking under pressure: A home disadvantage?

This paper highlights the not-so-obvious but compelling reasons why the same supportive audiences that can help performers attain their highest potential also may increase performers' risk of choking under pressure. Drawing primarily from social psychology research and theory, we conclude that audience support magnifies performance pressure and induces performers to avoid failure rather than seek success during the most critical moments of performance contests. Although supportive audiences can inspire performers to excel when motivation would otherwise be lacking, audiences may also lead performers towards maladaptive self-monitoring and overcautiousness when the stakes are highest. The increased self-focus that supportive audiences induce can disrupt the automatic execution of the skills performers possess. Dispositional and situational moderators of the relationship between audience support and performance are reviewed.     

A systematic review of the anxiety-attention relationship in far-aiming skills

ABSTRACT

Theoretical accounts of the anxiety and motor performance relationship cite disruptions to attention as a critical mediating factor. The aims of this paper were to (1) systematically review published research examining attentional mechanisms underpinning the anxiety–performance relationship in targeting skills, and (2) subsequently discuss these findings in relation to contemporary theoretical perspectives. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, three electronic databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, and SPORTDiscus) were searched from inception until June 2017. Thirty-four articles satisfied the inclusion criteria. Overall, the research is of high methodological quality; however, there is a tendency to focus on the historical dichotomy between self-focus and distraction accounts, whereas empirical support for more contemporary theoretical perspectives is lacking. Whilst this review provides further support for the role of attentional disruptions in anxiety-induced performance degradation, the exact mechanisms still lack consensus. In addition, more innovative experimental designs and measures are required to progress our understanding of moderating variables.     

The fourth dimension: A motoric perspective on the anxiety–performance relationship

This article focuses on raising concern that anxiety–performance relationship theory has insufficiently catered for motoric issues during, primarily, closed and self-paced skill execution (e.g., long jump and javelin throw). Following a review of current theory, we address the under-consideration of motoric issues by extending the three-dimensional model put forward by Cheng, Hardy, and Markland (2009) (‘Toward a three-dimensional conceptualization of performance anxiety: Rationale and initial measurement development, Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 10, 271–278). This fourth dimension, termed skill establishment, comprises the level and consistency of movement automaticity together with a performer's confidence in this specific process, as providing a degree of robustness against negative anxiety effects. To exemplify this motoric influence, we then offer insight regarding current theories’ misrepresentation that a self-focus of attention toward an already well-learned skill always leads to a negative performance effect. In doing so, we draw upon applied literature to distinguish between positive and negative self-foci and suggest that on what and how a performer directs their attention is crucial to the interaction with skill establishment and, therefore, performance. Finally, implications for skill acquisition research are provided. Accordingly, we suggest a positive potential flow from applied/translational to fundamental/theory-generating research in sport which can serve to freshen and usefully redirect investigation into this long-considered but still insufficiently understood concept.     

对王进“压力下的‘Choking’：运动竞赛中努力的反常现象及相关因素”一文的述评

对王进（2005）的“压力下的‘Choking’：运动竞赛中努力的反常现象及相关因素”一文进行了简要述评。分析了choking现象的实践背景和理论背景（自动执行假说,流畅状态,运动技能学习,脑电）。重点讨论了该文的长处,认为：（1）对于竞赛心理调节具有明确的应用价值,对于自我意识研究具有明确的理论价值;（2）具有明确的探索指向;（3）描述的3项研究在一定程度上表现了科学探索的系统性;（4）该文表述的实验设计比较规范。     

The yips in sport: A systematic review

ABSTRACT

The yips are a psycho-neuromuscular movement disorder, which affects sports in which fine motor precision skills are required for success. This review aims to examine key components of the yips within sport literature using a systematic approach. Twenty-five published studies were used in the systematic review, the majority of which focused on the yips in golf (n = 18); case studies were the most popular methodological approach (n = 12). Four components of the yips were identified: psychological, physiological, neurological and performance. This review describes evidence associated with each component according to research design, sample characteristics and main findings. Key findings associated with each component are evaluated and gaps within the existent literature are highlighted. It is concluded that future research incorporates a multi-discipline theory-driven approach on a wider range of sports using a more precise definition of yips types in order to enhance our understanding of the predictors and mechanisms of the yips which, in turn, will allow practitioners to develop effective interventions for athletes.     

竞赛压力对运动技术效应的理论探讨

研究从运动项目技术要求特征来分析"Choking"发生的机制,目的在于解释运动员在竞赛的压力下为什么付出了努力却发生了"Choking"的现象.研究运用"项群理论"分类的方法,把运动项目分为体能类为主的运动项目和技能类为主的运动项目.在此基础上,进一步根据"Choking"的过程理论,分析了这两类运动项目中努力和技术要求的分配问题.研究结论认为,在竞赛压力的条件下,运动员增加的努力对不同技术含量的运动执行效应是不同的.具体地讲,努力会有助于提高技术含量相对较少的运动项目,但是会有害于技术含量相对较多的运动项目.     

对乒乓球运动中三种步法的足底压力分析

应用运动生物力学原理,对乒乓球运动中三种步法的足底压力进行分析,得到以下主要结论：乒乓球典型步法动作过程中双脚的足底压力主要承载区域集中在足前区,足中区受力不明显。击球发力脚足后区足底压力峰值交叉步步法最大,并步步法次之,跨步步法最小。前足中区为足前区较为稳定的主要受力区域,前足外侧区和前足内侧区所受足底压力峰值的大小与步法的动作形式有关。     

网球运动员发球时心理障碍的表现及对策

本文采用文献资料法、访谈法、观察法、问卷调查法对70名网球运动员发球时心理障碍的表现作一些探讨分析,于此得出网球运动员发球时心理障碍的主要表现,并根据多年从事网球专项训练感受、及后期的体育教学经验,提出一些解决方法。以求对网球教学与训练提供一些心理学的依据。     

世界精英男子网球运动员竞技比赛特征研究

为评价世界精英男子网球运动员比赛表现特征,选取德约科维奇职业生涯2004至2016年间908场、穆雷职业生涯2005至2016年间804场单打比赛为研究对象。运用多元线性回归法对两位优秀网球选手竞技能力技战术指标特征进行分析,运用综合指数法对两人36场比赛对决进行综合评定。结果显示：（1）决定德约科维奇的比赛胜负指标由强到弱依次为二发得分率（0.915）、一发得分率（0.882）、挽救破发点成功率（0.749）、一发成功率（0.700）,决定穆雷的比赛胜负指标由强到弱依次为一发成功率（0.803）、二发得分率（0.675）、破发成功率（0.645）;（2）德约科维奇与穆雷10场大满贯比赛对决的综合指数平均值分别为3.997和3.862。研究表明：从整体上看,虽然两人职业对决在竞技状态上都有起伏,但并不存在显著性差异,且两人在比赛中均展现出一流的技战术水平。     

A machine learning approach for automatic detection and classification of changes of direction from player tracking data in professional tennis

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to develop an automated method for identifying and classifying change of direction (COD) movements in professional tennis using tracking data. Three sport science and strength and conditioning experts coded match-play footage of nineteen professional tennis players (9 male and 10 female) from the Australian Open Grand Slam for COD of medium and high intensity. A total of 1,494 changes were identified and aligned with 2D player position sampled at 25 Hz based on camera tracking data. Several machine learning classifiers were trained and tested on a set of 1,128 time-motion features. A random forest algorithm was found to have the best out-of-sample performance, classifying medium and high intensity changes with an F1-score of 0.729. This research offers a novel and applicable way for utilising player tracking data and machine learning techniques to automatically identify and classify COD movements in professional tennis.     

网球双打团队成员间互动特征的序列分析

采用摄像法、观察记录法和序列分析法,对网球双打比赛环境中的成员间互动特征进行量化分析,探讨双打中团队成员互动与团队绩效的关系。研究结果表明:1)获胜团队的信息交流数量对于失利团队,同时获胜团队的交流模式能够更好地解决问题,在每个得分之间,团队成员可以分享即将进行的计划、经验,能更好地协调赛场条件,最终更好地解决问题。失利团队虽然有情感支持的互动特征,但解决问题的能力低于获胜团队,进而影响了团队表现和绩效。2)团队成员的组队配合时间与比赛绩效成正相关。3)男女性成员互动的模式存在差异:男性互动倾向于任务或工具性领域,女性倾向于社会情感领域。     

Ethnicity as a Moderator of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Physical Activity in College Students

Most college students do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines, and ethnic disparities exist. The present study examined the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in explaining PA intentions and behavior in black and white college students and whether any TPB relationships were moderated by ethnicity. Black (n = 170) and white (n = 180) students completed a baseline TPB questionnaire and PA assessment 2 weeks later. Hierarchical latent variable regression analyses showed that affective attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) were significant predictors of intention for both ethnic groups, whereas the PBC-intention relationship was significantly stronger for white students. Intention significantly predicted PA for both ethnic groups. Furthermore, common and ethnic-specific beliefs were identified.     

Clustering tennis players’ anthropometric and individual features helps to reveal performance fingerprints

Abstract

The study was aimed to explore distinct players’ groups according to their anthropometric and individual features, and to identify the key performance indicators that discriminate player groups. Match statistics, anthropometric and personal features of 1188 male players competing during 2015–2017 main draw Grand Slam singles events were collected. Height, weight, experience, handedness and backhand style were used to automatically classify players into different clusters through unsupervised learning model. Afterwards, 29 match variables were analysed through MANOVA and discriminant analysis in order to evaluate the different match performance among player groups and to identify the key performance indicators that best differentiate player clusters in each Grand Slam. The analysis revealed the existence of four clusters, they were classified as Big-sized Right Two-handed Players (n?=?387), Medium-sized Right One-handed Players (n?=?265), Small-sized Right Two-handed Players (n?=?414), and Left Two-handed Players (n?=?122). Serve, winner, net and physical performance-related indicators (Structure Coefficient?≥?|0.30|) were showed to be the maximum contributors to the group separation. Left-handed players were the most homogenous group in performance. Taller players outperformed their peers in all Slams except for Roland Garros, where left-handed players demonstrated certain advantage playing on slow-pace surface. In Wimbledon and US Open, Medium-sized Right One-handed Players showed better net and physical performance. The advantage of left-handed player is over-represented at elite level. Current findings promote a better understanding of match-play from distinct player groups and offer information on evaluating contextual variability for achieving better performances.     

“正念-接受-觉悟-投入”训练对网球运动员心理干预效果检验的个案研究

随着"正念-接受-投入(The Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment Approach,MAC,Gardner&Moore,2007)"训练程序被越来越多的运动心理学家所应用,中国动心理学工作者在此基础上(姒刚彦等,2014)发展出更加适合中国运动员的"正念—接受—觉悟—投入(Mindfulness-Acceptance-InsightCommitment,MAIC)"训练程序。研究以MAIC为基础,探讨正念训练对网球运动员正念水平、接受水平、特质流畅状态、心境状态以及表现水平的影响。评估量表主要采用了《五因素正念量表》、《接受和行动问卷》《特质流畅量表简化版》和《心境状态量表》。实验数据表明:该网球运动员的正念水平得到提高;接受水平得到了改善;特质流畅状态以及心境状态均得到了提升。来自运动员的评估问卷以及教练员的评估问卷也都验证了干预的效果。实验干预基本证实了该研究的假设。     

多媒体教学手段在普通高校乒乓球专选课教学中的应用

现代信息技术在学校体育教育中运用得越来越广泛,运用多媒体组织教学,可以弥补传统体育教学的不足,更能促进体育教学的发展,培养学生的终身体育意识,增强身体素质。根据普通高校乒乓球专选课程的特点,探讨如何利用多媒体教学手段,使学生在短暂的时间内,掌握一些乒乓球的基本技术和技能,了解、体验乒乓球的竞赛过程,提高学生兴趣,为终身体育服务。     

高校体育课程双语教学的尝试和思考

阐述普通高校体育课程双语教学的必要性和地位。结合网球选项课双语教学的实践，对体育课程双语教学中的若干问题进行了探讨，以期促进体育课程双语教学的发展。