Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-05T14:25:27.607Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Effects of Stress Inoculation Training on Gymnastics Performance on the Pommelled Horse. A Case Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2009

Roger Mace ,
Clive Eastman  and
Douglas Carroll
Roger Mace
Affiliation:
Newman College, Birmingham
Clive Eastman
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Birmingham
Douglas Carroll
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Birmingham
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A male gymnast who had represented his country in Olympic gymnastics and had developed a maladaptive mental approach to performing on the pommelled horse in competition was given stress inoculation training in order to help him overcome his difficulties. Preliminary interviews revealed that immediately before competing he became very tense, his arms started to shake and he had doubts about being able to complete his routine. In addition, he was unable to use visualization, a technique which he used for mental preparation on the other five pieces of apparatus in Olympic gymnastics competitions. Further interviews also strongly suggested that the subject had developed an unconscious set of negative self-statements. An intervention programme comprising 12 sessions of training in relaxation, visualization and making positive self-statements was implemented. Recorded interviews and comments made by the subject on completion of the training indicated that the programme had been successful. For many years the subject had experienced problems performing on the pommelled horse and he had frequently suffered falls in competition. Towards the end of the stress management training programme his performance began to improve. He also became more confident and he used his stress coping skills in competition. In the National Championships he was able to relax, visualize his routine and make positive self-statements. Shortly after this competition he successfully completed his routine to a high standard without any falls to win the individual title in the Midlands Regional Championships. In a subsequent international match he again successfully performed his routine to a high standard.

Type
Clinical/Brief Reports
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 15 , Issue 3 , July 1987 , pp. 272 - 279
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1987

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bandura, A. (1978). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change Advances in Behavior Research and Therapy 1, 139–161.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Borkovec, T. D. (1981). Stress management in athletics: An overview of cognitive and physiological techniques Motor Skills: Theory into Practice 5, 45–52.Google Scholar
Feltz, D. L. and Landers, D. M. (1980). Stress management techniques for sport and physical education Journal of Physical Education and Recreation 5, 41–43.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Griffiths, T. J., Steel, D. H., Voccaro, P. and Karpman, M. B. (1981). The effect of relaxation techniques on anxiety and underwater performance International Journal of Sport Psychology 12, 176–182.Google Scholar
Harrison, R. P. and Feltz, D. (1981). Stress inoculation for athletes: Description and case example Motor Skills: Theory into Practice 5, 53–61.Google Scholar
Landers, D. (1980). The arousal performance relationship revisited Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 51, 77–90.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Landers, D. (1982). Arousal, attention and skilled performance; further considerations Quest 33, 271–283.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mace, R. D. and Carroll, D. (1985). The control of anxiety in sport: stress inoculation training prior to abseiling. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 16, 165–175.Google Scholar
Mace, R. D. and Carroll, D. (1986). Stress inoculation training to control anxiety in sport: two case studies in squash British Journal of Sports Medicine 20, 115–117.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mace, R. D., Eastman, C. and Carroll, D. (1986). Stress inoculation training. A case study in gymnastics British Journal of Sports Medicine 20, 139–141.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Martens, R. (1974). Arousal and motor performance. In Exercise and Sport Science Reviews, Vol. 2, Whilmore, J. H. (Ed.). New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Meichenbaum, D. (1974). Therapist manual for cognitive behavior modification. Unpublished manuscript. University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.Google Scholar
Meichenbaum, D. (1977). Cognitive Behavior Modification. New York: Plenum Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meichenbaum, D. (1985). Stress Inoculation Training. New York: Permagon Press.Google Scholar
Newman, S. (1981). Fear, the apprehensive athlete Coaching Review 4, 18–23.Google Scholar
Weinberg, R. S. (1979). Anxiety and motor performance: Drive theory vs cognitive theory International Journal of Sport Psychology 10, 112–121.Google Scholar
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.