The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of five track athletes (three men and two women, aged 18-33 yrs) during a season-long PST-Biofeedback training program designed to help them learn how to self-regulate physiologically, psychologically, and emotionally. Three key psychological skills were emphasized: focus (Janelle, 2002; Nideffer & Sagal, 2006), arousal control through biofeedback training (e.g., Bar-Eli, Dreshman, Blumenstein, & Weinstein, 2002), and debriefing (Hogg, 2002; McArdle, Martin, Lennon, & Moore, 2010). The program, which consisted of one-on-one initial and final semi-structured interviews with PST-biofeedback sessions in between, was individualized to meet each athlete’s needs and progress during the study. Results indicated that the athletes found the program helpful; they perceived an improvement in their ability to focus, debrief, and control arousal in the lab; and, to varying degrees, they transferred those skills into training and competition. The athletes also perceived an improvement in their sport performances.

For the past three decades performance development in sport has been steered by traditional Psychological Skills Training (PST) programmes. However, in the last decade, the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) approach to performance development in sport has been introduced. To date, there is limited research on the MAC approach and there are currently no published studies in South Africa. The goal of this study was to explore the participant’s experiences of the MAC programme with reference to what they learnt through the programme, how they applied their learning to their swimming and how they transferred their learning to their lives. This study is an Interpretive Phenomenological view of five adolescent swimmers (two female and three male) at the High Performance Centre (hpc), in South Africa (SA). The participants partook in a one-day swimmingspecific MAC programme and thereafter, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. An interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used for analysing the data gained from the interviews. The findings indicate that the participants had experiences which were consistent, inconsistent or unique in relation to the literature review. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lk2014 / Psychology / MA / Unrestricted

This study explored the subjective interpretations of five adolescent athletes who experienced a sport-specific version of the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) approach. The MAC approach is an alternative sport psychology intervention to more traditional control-driven approaches, such as Psychological Skills Training (PST). An in-depth qualitative study was conducted at the High Performance Centre (hpc) of the University of Pretoria (UP). The sport-specific MAC programme was developed for the sport of athletics. The programme was facilitated to five adolescent athletes who participate in the sport of athletics. Semi-structured interviews were conducted after the participants experienced the programme. The interviews were based on written reflections provided by participants during the programme. The research position for this study was phenomenology, and specifically Interpretive Phenomenology (IP). Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the material. The results revealed that there was only one theme that was common to all five participants. Furthermore, the results portrayed diversity amongst the participant experiences and subjectivity in their interpretations of the MAC approach. The results displayed how some themes are consistent with MAC-related literature, and how other themes contradict the literature. Additionally, some themes have not been reported in MAC literature before. Thus, the study contributed to the expansion of literature on the MAC approach. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lk2014 / Psychology / MA / Unrestricted

No description available.

This qualitative study examined the psychological demands of Formula One Racing, and the psychological skills former Formula One drivers utilized to meet those demands. The participants were nine former drivers, from six different countries, who have competed in at least one Formula One World Drivers Championship grand prix. The qualitative data were gathered using a semi-structured interview framework, developed by the researcher, to explore the psychological skills established from other validated psychological skills questionnaires, such as the Test of Performance Strategies, (Thomas, Murphy, & Hardy, 1999). Eight of the interviews were done via Skype, and one interview was performed in person. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and then sent to the participants to make any edits or corrections. Once the transcriptions were approved, the data were coded by the researcher using constant comparative methods as described in Charmaz (2006). Three phases of coding resulted in four themes and 14 sub-themes. The themes that emerged include: (1) Applied Sport Psychology in Formula One, (2) Psychological Skills, (3) Uncontrollable Aspects of Competition, (4) Career Components. Drivers used various psychological skills in a focused effort to aid their performance. Drivers discussed the important role psychology plays in their sport, and the psychological resources available to them during their career. Drivers discussed the danger element of their competition, and how they and their competitors managed the fear associated with racing. The drivers in this study competed in an era that was much more dangerous than the current era of Formula One racing (Barnes, 2013). The drivers' use of psychological skills, and perceptions of sport psychology, may guide consultants working with race car drivers and those working with other populations that have similar psychological and physical demands. / Kinesiology

Over the last 40 years, the field of sport psychology has generated a growing body of literature on the coach-athlete relationship, driven by the recognition that the quality of this dyad can play an important role in an athlete's experiences in sport. Despite strong evidence suggesting that Self-Determination Theory (SDT) accurately reflects processes within this relationship, which promote or undermine intrinsic motivation, there is room to deepen contemporary understandings of coach-athlete dyads by assessing the role of athlete individual differences within this theory. Sixty-seven male athletes (ages 12-18) and 3 male coaches participated in the current study, which set out to cultivate a more nuanced understanding of coach-athlete relationships in a high-level youth athletic academy. Questionnaires measuring preferences for, and perceptions of, coaching behavior, psychological coping skills, psychological needs satisfaction, motivation, and burnout were administered at the beginning and end of the fall season. Results gleaned from correlations, multiple regressions and mediational analyses variably supported the study's main hypotheses. Processes consistent with SDT were evident, as a dimension of perceived coaching behavior predicted needs satisfaction, which in turn, predicted levels of motivation and burnout. Finally, and most importantly, results showed that athletes' psychological coping skills predicted their perceptions of coaching behavior, and outcomes related to needs satisfaction, motivation, and burnout. The current paper also discusses implications of these findings for research and applied practice in sport psychology, and provides recommendations for future avenues of study. / Kinesiology

Objectives: The main objective of the research in this thesis was to investigate the psychological skills, state anxiety and coping of senior rugby players in South Africa. Methodology: The first manuscript (Chapter 2) was a literature review that investigated whether the coping model suggested by Moos and Shaefer (1993) could be applied to investigate the interaction between various psychological factors involved in the coping process, within a sports context. The model was evaluated by examining the relevant factors, including the environmental system, personal factors, life crises and transitions, cognitive appraisals and coping responses, as well as the general health and well-being of individuals. The manuscripts presented in Chapters 3, 4 and 5 made use of a cross-sectional design to assess the constructs central to the stated aims of the study. The participants in this research project were from the following teams during the 2003 and 2004 seasons: South African Super 12 teams (Stormers, Bulls, Cats and Sharks); South African provincial teams (Free State Cheetahs, Gauteng Lions, North-West Leopards and the Falcons); South African club rugby teams (North-West University 1st team, Tswane University of Technology 1st team, Kimberley Combined Forces and the Leopards amateur club team). The players were psychometrically evaluated in the week leading up to an important game (usually 2-3 days before the game). The number of players included in this study was 139 Super 12 rugby players, 106 provincial rugby players and 95 club rugby players, resulting in a cumulative total of 340 senior rugby players. The Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28) was used to evaluate the players' psychological skills (manuscripts 2, 3 and 4). The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) was used to ascertain the state anxiety of the rugby players (manuscript 3) and a biographical questionnaire (compiled by the researcher) was used to gather demographical and biographical information of the players (manuscript 4). Results and conclusions of the individual manuscripts: - Manuscript 1 concluded that there were substantial literature findings that supported and explained the influence of the different psychological factors that form part of the Moos and Shaefer (1993) coping model regarding the coping abilities of athletes. It appeared that this model could potentially be applied in a sports context to clarify the factors influencing the coping process of athletes. - The results in manuscript 2 reported significant differences between the psychological skills of the Super 12 and club rugby players on four of the seven ACSI-28 subscales. No differences, however, could be found between Super 12 and provincial rugby players. The research further concluded that no statistically or practically significant differences in psychological skills could be found between forwards and backline rugby players or between the different positional groupings (props, hookers, locks, loose forwards, inside backs and outside backs) in senior South African rugby. - Manuscript 3 concluded that senior South African rugby players with high levels of psychological skills experienced lower levels of state anxiety, and that they interpreted the state anxiety that they experienced as more facilitative to their performance. This might suggest that rugby players with high levels of psychological skills could generally cope better with the challenges of competitive rugby. Rugby players with high levels of psychological skills also experienced higher levels of self-confidence and interpreted their self-confidence as more facilitative to performance. - The results in manuscript 4 suggested that certain prior experiences and a number of sports-specific perceptions could have an influence on the psychological skills of rugby players. However, the only biographical variable that appeared to be a common denominator between the high psychological skills groups on all three levels of rugby were the players' perceptions regarding their own abilities to do optimal psychological preparation before a game. The research could not indicate the direction of the interaction between prior experience, cognitive perceptions and psychological skills, but acknowledged the strong association between these factors and the levels of psychological skills of South African senior rugby players. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Objectives: The main objective of the research in this thesis was to investigate the psychological skills, state anxiety and coping of senior rugby players in South Africa. Methodology: The first manuscript (Chapter 2) was a literature review that investigated whether the coping model suggested by Moos and Shaefer (1993) could be applied to investigate the interaction between various psychological factors involved in the coping process, within a sports context. The model was evaluated by examining the relevant factors, including the environmental system, personal factors, life crises and transitions, cognitive appraisals and coping responses, as well as the general health and well-being of individuals. The manuscripts presented in Chapters 3, 4 and 5 made use of a cross-sectional design to assess the constructs central to the stated aims of the study. The participants in this research project were from the following teams during the 2003 and 2004 seasons: South African Super 12 teams (Stormers, Bulls, Cats and Sharks); South African provincial teams (Free State Cheetahs, Gauteng Lions, North-West Leopards and the Falcons); South African club rugby teams (North-West University 1st team, Tswane University of Technology 1st team, Kimberley Combined Forces and the Leopards amateur club team). The players were psychometrically evaluated in the week leading up to an important game (usually 2-3 days before the game). The number of players included in this study was 139 Super 12 rugby players, 106 provincial rugby players and 95 club rugby players, resulting in a cumulative total of 340 senior rugby players. The Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28) was used to evaluate the players' psychological skills (manuscripts 2, 3 and 4). The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) was used to ascertain the state anxiety of the rugby players (manuscript 3) and a biographical questionnaire (compiled by the researcher) was used to gather demographical and biographical information of the players (manuscript 4). Results and conclusions of the individual manuscripts: - Manuscript 1 concluded that there were substantial literature findings that supported and explained the influence of the different psychological factors that form part of the Moos and Shaefer (1993) coping model regarding the coping abilities of athletes. It appeared that this model could potentially be applied in a sports context to clarify the factors influencing the coping process of athletes. - The results in manuscript 2 reported significant differences between the psychological skills of the Super 12 and club rugby players on four of the seven ACSI-28 subscales. No differences, however, could be found between Super 12 and provincial rugby players. The research further concluded that no statistically or practically significant differences in psychological skills could be found between forwards and backline rugby players or between the different positional groupings (props, hookers, locks, loose forwards, inside backs and outside backs) in senior South African rugby. - Manuscript 3 concluded that senior South African rugby players with high levels of psychological skills experienced lower levels of state anxiety, and that they interpreted the state anxiety that they experienced as more facilitative to their performance. This might suggest that rugby players with high levels of psychological skills could generally cope better with the challenges of competitive rugby. Rugby players with high levels of psychological skills also experienced higher levels of self-confidence and interpreted their self-confidence as more facilitative to performance. - The results in manuscript 4 suggested that certain prior experiences and a number of sports-specific perceptions could have an influence on the psychological skills of rugby players. However, the only biographical variable that appeared to be a common denominator between the high psychological skills groups on all three levels of rugby were the players' perceptions regarding their own abilities to do optimal psychological preparation before a game. The research could not indicate the direction of the interaction between prior experience, cognitive perceptions and psychological skills, but acknowledged the strong association between these factors and the levels of psychological skills of South African senior rugby players. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Talent identification and the subsequent development of those individuals with the most potential to succeed is currently of great concern for sporting bodies in a number of countries and South Africa is no exception. Sport in South Africa holds a position of great prominence and has been used in many instances to facilitate national unity and pride. Rugby Union is one of the most prominent sports in South Africa and it is in this sport that South Africa has achieved a great measure of success, both historically and currently. It is a sport in which the future sustainability of this success is high on the agenda. There have been a number of studies on talent identification in rugby and this study aims to contribute to that body of knowledge. To achieve this contribution, this study has two primary goals and aims. This study has as its primary goals and aims: 1) to have a sound theoretical base provided by in-depth and up to date research that will form the foundation for, 2) reviewed and alternative sport and position-specific testing protocols as well as comparative results consisting of norms and scores that will adequately identify and select those capable of participating in elite age-group rugby union. Contained in the theoretical base of this study is a review of the physical parameters required to succeed in sport, a discussion of the nature vs. nurture debate and a review of the developmental approaches to talent and ability. Other factors such as psychological skills, abilities and attributes and a historical review of talent identification models and approaches world-wide as well as in South Africa have also been provided. In all, the first primary aim and goal of this study has therefore successfully been achieved. Thereafter, the reviewed and alternative test protocol has been presented, discussed and executed, followed by an analysis of the results obtained. Specific achievements of this study are that new and modified tests (3x5x22m Anaerobic capacity test, S-Test and the Kick-for-distance and accuracy test) for talent have been developed and that specific scores and norms for these new tests, as well as other pre-existing tests, have been established for future reference. In noting the success of the alternative, broad-position specific protocol and the establishment of scores and norms, the second primary goal and aim of this study can be said to be achieved. This study then ends with conclusions and further proposed recommendations. It can therefore be concluded with a great amount of certainty that this study has been successful not only in presenting as up to date research as possible in the fields of excellence and elite sport, but that furthermore, this study has provided a robust test protocol with comparative norms that can be used as an alternative identification and selection tool. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences / unrestricted

This research study took place at the High Performance Centre (hpc) at the University of Pretoria (UP) in South Africa (SA). The sport psychologists/sports counselors at the hpc mainly deliver performance development services to the athletes. The sport psychology services at the hpc are conducted to the athletes via the Psychological Skills Training (PST) approach and Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) approach. These two approaches are individualistic in nature and the aim of my study was to move away from a more traditional individualistic perspective to an ecological perspective that takes into consideration other role players such as sport scientists. This was achieved by developing a sport science specific MAC programme for the sport scientists, which was facilitated through experiential learning. The goal of the MAC programme was to explore the sport scientists’ experiences with reference to what they discovered and how they applied their learning. Eight in depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with four sport scientists at the hpc after their participation in the programme. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the semi-structured interviews. The findings were mainly related to difficulties and advantages that the sport scientists experienced when they applied the MAC principles. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Psychology / MA / Unrestricted