Effective ways to develop and maintain robust sport-confidence : strategies advocated by sport psychology consultants

Based on recent evidence, this study identified 10 strategies advocated by sport psychology consultants as effective at developing and maintaining robust sport-confidence in athletes. Due to the study's exploratory nature, qualitative interviews were conducted and content analyzed. Six themes emerged for developing robust sport-confidence and 4 emerged for maintaining robust sport-confidence. Findings reveal a need to develop an athlete's signature strengths, increase pressure experienced in training, and identify broad stable sources of confidence to develop robust sport-confidence. Consultants reported that maintaining robust sport-confidence occurs through constant development. Theoretical implications and future research directions are discussed

Diagnosis of speech errors in children with autism using ultrasound

Background Fine motor control is frequently impaired in children with autism, however, speech motor control has been found to be unimpaired in some studies using perceptual methods. This is despite the need for intricate movement of the tongue required for accurate speech. However, a small number of studies found residual and non-developmental speech errors are significantly higher in a sample of children with autism (33-40%) than the normal adult population (1-2%; Shriberg et al., 2001; Cleland et al., 2010). Conflicting evidence may be due to unreliable perceptual analysis that relies on auditory skills of the assessor. The cause of these speech errors is still in debate. Aim of the study Our research will investigate speech errors in autism using Ultrasound Tongue Imaging (UTI). It will be used to identify any inaccurate or uncoordinated movements of the tongue which could indicate a motor impairment. We aim to determine whether errors in fine motor control are echoed in errors of speech. Using UTI eliminates the higher likelihood of variation and inaccuracy of perceptual assessments. Additionally, we will compare UTI and perceptual assessments to determine whether there are speech errors missed in the clinic through the use of perceptual assessments only. Methods We will compare UTI data with standardized speech assessments. UTI is used in the imaging of speech as it allows investigation of tongue movement. By placing a standard medical ultrasound probe under the chin, most of the surface of the tongue in a midsagittal view is imaged. UTI has been used in the field for decades however until recently it was hard to gain useful data from. Now ultrasound is portable, provides fast frame rates and can synchronize ultrasound images with audio. This allows analysis of tongue movement that can be compared across participants. Fine motor control will be assessed using standardized assessment and specific fine motor measurements. All assessments will analyse the coordination and accuracy of movements of fingers and speech muscles. Conclusions/importance of work It is important to investigate the relationship between speech motor control and fine motor control as it can ultimately change the treatment provided by speech and language therapists (SLTs). If speech errors in autism are a result of a motor control difficulty then traditional speech therapy is less likely to be successful. Therapy needs to specifically target speech motor planning. If perceptual assessments are not sensitive enough to identify speech errors in autism, UTI may be an effective instrument to improve diagnostic accuracy to inform practice

Enhancing athlete engagement in sport psychology interventions using motivational interviewing: a case study

Clear reporting of the counseling approach (and theoretical underpinning) applied by sport psychologists is often missing, with a tendency to focus on intervention content rather than therapeutic processes and relationship building. Well defined psychotherapies such as Motivational Interviewing (MI) can help fill this void and provide an underpinning counseling approach (in an athlete-centred manner) as a framework for delivering interventions such as psychological skills training (PST). This article describes the role of MI as a framework upon which PST sport psychology interventions can be mapped and delivered. The paper presents an athlete case study to explain the role of MI at each phase of the interaction. Robust, well-defined applications of MI in sport require further research although evidence from other psychological domains suggests that it can be successfully blended into sporting contexts

Understanding mental toughness in elite football officiating : perceptions of English Premier League referees.

The purpose of the present study was to gain a detailed understanding of Mental Toughness (MT) in the context of elite football officiating. Competition-specific and off-field situations perceived to require MT as well as corresponding behaviours and cognitions utilised by mentally tough referees were identified. Fifteen English Premier League (EPL) referees were individually interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Through inductive and deductive content analysis, 70 situations converged into five higher-order themes: (a) pre-match situations, (b) during-match situations, (c) post-match situations, (d) general elite refereeing situations, and (e) general-life situations. Throughout emerging themes, a multifunctional set of adaptive patterns of behaviour (e.g., act as a barrier between players, looking calm and composed) and cognitive strategies (e.g., draw upon life experiences, awareness of players' emotions) were outlined. Theoretical and applied implications for sport psychology practitioners and researchers operating in the area of MT are discussed

The stability of mental toughness across situations: taking a social-cognitive approach

The present study adopted a social-cognitive perspective to explore the stability of mental toughness. Specifically, the purpose of this study was two-fold: (a)to explore possible fluctuations in mental toughness across situations; and (b) to identify the cognitions, affect, and behaviors associated with perceived mental toughness and mental weakness. Participants were tennis players (n=12) based full time in an elite performance academy and were aged between 14 and 20 years (Mage = 29 16.5; SD = 2.66). Players were interviewed and transcribed interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Three researchers searched for themes across the interview data and reached consensus on the coding of raw data and subsequent categorization of data into themes. Players identified a variety of competition (e.g., opponents, pressure) and training (e.g., consistency, intensity) related situations requiring mental toughness. Findings indicated that players could be mentally tough in some situations but mentally weak in other situations suggesting that mental toughness can fluctuate. In addition, players identified different cognitions, affect, and behaviors when they perceived mental toughness and mental weakness. Regarding coping strategies, findings confirm the important role of confidence in mental toughness and should remain central to interventions designed to build mental toughness. To conclude, it is anticipated that findings generated can be used as a platform to develop context-rich mental toughness training interventions

A strengths-based consultancy approach in elite sport : exploring super strengths.

There is a lack of literature documenting strengths-based approaches in sport psychology. This study explored how a super-strengths approach has been implemented by sport psychologists (n = 7) and coaches (n = 8), with UK elite athletes. Findings were categorized into 3 general dimensions: defining super-strengths, identification methods, and phases of development. Super-strengths were defined as a strategy for performance, utilizing a potential world’s-best resource to gain a competitive edge. Identification methods were subjective (e.g., asking/observing athletes) and objective (e.g., performance analysis). Participants emphasized 3 development phases: preparation, adaptation and monitoring. Findings offer considerations for implementing a strengths-based approach and future research

Elite coaches' experiences of creating pressure training environments for performance enhancement

Recent research supports the practice of pressure training in sport (Bell, Hardy, & Beattie, 2013), yet limited knowledge exists regarding how pressure is systematically created. This study explored how 11 elite coaches developed pressure training environments for the performance enhancement of their athletes. Following thematic analysis of transcribed semi-structured interviews, findings detailed how coaches manipulated a variety of stressors (e.g., task, forfeit, judgment) to manage the demands and consequences of training. Facilitated by individual differences, this process created pressure, defined as the perception that it is important to perform exceptionally. The findings provide a framework for developing pressure, coping mechanisms, and performance in training environments in preparation for future sporting competition

The effect of manipulating training demands and consequences on experiences of pressure in elite netball

Testing the efficacy of a pressure training framework (Stoker, Lindsay, Butt, Bawden, & Maynard, 2016), the present study investigated whether manipulating training demands and consequences altered experiences of pressure. Elite Netballers (Mage = 26.14 years) performed a Netball exercise in a randomized, within subject design with four conditions: a control, consequences, demands, and demands plus consequences condition. Compared with the control, self-reported pressure was significantly higher in the consequences and demands plus consequences condition, but not in the demands condition. The findings provide mixed support for manipulating demands and strong support for manipulating consequences as a means for producing pressure. Key words: pressure training, stress, anxiety, stressor, coping, choking, demands, consequence, forfeit, reward, judgmen

Practitioners' use of motivational interviewing in sport: A qualitative enquiry

This study explored the use of motivational interviewing (MI) in sport contexts by experts in that approach. Specifically, the purpose was to understand which aspects of the MI approach are deemed valuable for working in sport and to begin to understand how these aspects are best applied. Nine practitioners participated in semistructured interviews, and thematic analysis identified themes related to core and subcomponents of MI (e.g., relational spirit, technical microskills, applied tools, and the MI communication styles continuum). Additional themes relate to integrating MI with other interventions, the challenges of working with athletes (e.g., mandated attendance, ambivalence about change), and unique aspects of working in sport contexts (e.g., frequency, duration, and location of contact points). The participants also outlined essential ingredients for an MI training curriculum for practitioners in sport. This counseling approach appears to have valuable relational and technical components to facilitate the building of the therapeutic alliance, enhance athlete readiness for change, and support delivery of action-oriented interventions in applied sport psychology