Differential and shared effects of psychological skills training and mindfulness training on performance-relevant psychological factors in sport: a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of psychological skills training (PST) and mindfulness training (MT) on psychological variables relevant to athletic performance, such as handling emotions and attention control.
Results Summary
Both PST and MT improved the ability to manage emotions and control attention, with MT showing a differential effect in reducing experiential avoidance. Shared improvements were also noted in dealing with failure, though to a lesser extent.
Population
95 athletes
Effective Dosage
Not available
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
psychological skills training | increase | mental strategies being used | 95 athletes | probabilities > 95% | led to more mental strategies being used | #1 |
mindfulness training | increase | aspects of mindfulness | 95 athletes | probabilities > 98% | led to an increase in two of three aspects of mindfulness | #2 |
psychological skills training | increase | ability to not let emotions interfere with performance | 95 athletes | probabilities > 99% | improved in the ability to not let emotions interfere with performance | #3 |
mindfulness training | increase | ability to not let emotions interfere with performance | 95 athletes | probabilities > 99% | improved in the ability to not let emotions interfere with performance | #4 |
psychological skills training | increase | controlling attention in training and competition | 95 athletes | probabilities > 89% | improved in controlling attention in training and competition | #5 |
mindfulness training | increase | controlling attention in training and competition | 95 athletes | probabilities > 89% | improved in controlling attention in training and competition | #6 |
psychological skills training | increase | dealing with failure | 95 athletes | probabilities > 82% | showed shared improvements in dealing with failure indicated by more action orientation | #7 |
mindfulness training | increase | dealing with failure | 95 athletes | probabilities > 82% | showed shared improvements in dealing with failure indicated by more action orientation | #8 |
mindfulness training | decrease | experiential avoidance | 95 athletes | probabilities > 92% | decreased experiential avoidance | #9 |
BACKGROUND: Mental training intends to support athletes in mastering challenges in sport. The aim of our study was to investigate the differential and shared effects of psychological skills training and mindfulness training on psychological variables relevant to athletic performance (e.g., handling emotions or attention control). We assumed that each approach has its own strengths (e.g., mindfulness has a differential effect on the acceptance of emotions), but for some goals (e.g., attention control), both training forms are expected to be equally successful (i.e., shared effects). METHODS: A total of 95 athletes (M RESULTS: Both interventions passed the manipulation check, that is, PST led to more mental strategies being used (probabilities > 95%), and MT led to an increase in two of three aspects of mindfulness (probabilities > 98%) when compared to WL. Compared to WL, both interventions equally improved in the ability to not let emotions interfere with performance (probabilities > 99%) and in controlling attention in training and competition (probabilities > 89%). To a lesser extend, both interventions showed shared improvements in dealing with failure indicated by more action orientation (probabilities > 82%). We found a differential effect of MT on decreased experiential avoidance: MT decreased compared to WL and PST (probabilities > 92%), whereas PST did not differ from WL. CONCLUSION: We conclude that both forms of mental training lead to improvements in performance-relevant psychological factors, especially concerning the handling of emotions and attention control. The results of our study suggest that different paths may lead to the desired outcomes, and accordingly, both forms of mental training seem justified. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN11147748 , date of registration: July 11, 2016.