Effects of Self-Talk Training on Competitive Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, Volitional Skills, and Performance: An Intervention Study with Junior Sub-Elite Athletes

Walter, Nadja; Nikoleizig, Lucie; Alfermann, Dorothee

doi:10.3390/sports7060148

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Effects of Self-Talk Training on Competitive Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, Volitional Skills, and Performance: An Intervention Study with Junior Sub-Elite Athletes

Nadja Walter

^1,*

Lucie Nikoleizig

² and

Dorothee Alfermann

Faculty of Sport Science, Institute of Sport Psychology and Physical Education, Leipzig University, 04109 Leipzig, Germany

Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Personality Psychology and Psychological Assessment, Leipzig University, 04109 Leipzig, Germany

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Sports 2019, 7(6), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7060148

Received: 10 May 2019 / Revised: 7 June 2019 / Accepted: 14 June 2019 / Published: 19 June 2019

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Abstract

(1) Background: Self-talk (ST) is used to influence athletes’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Samples of squad and competitive athletes are underrepresented, although research has proven the positive effects of ST in the context of sports. Thus, the present study focused on the impact of ST on psychological and performance outcomes of junior sub-elite athletes. (2) Methods: N = 117 athletes (55 females, 62 males; M = 16.0 years) were randomly assigned to either one of two experimental groups or to a control group (n = 30). The experimental groups received an ST intervention for either one week (n = 36) or eight weeks (n = 38), and the control group received no ST training. The dependent variables (competitive anxiety, volitional skills, self-efficacy, and coaches’ performance ratings) were assessed three times before and after the intervention. It was expected that (a) an ST intervention would reduce the competitive anxiety and increase volitional skills, self-efficacy, and performance; and, (b) long-term training would lead to higher effects than short-term training. (3) Results: As expected, ST training led to (less) somatic state anxiety and (higher) state self-confidence, self-optimization, self-efficacy, and performance. Additionally, long-term training was more effective than short-term training. (4) Conclusions: Targeted ST interventions may help to improve junior athletes’ psychological states and performance. View Full-Text

Keywords: junior elite athletes; competitive anxiety; psychological skills training; self-efficacy; self-talk

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Walter, N.; Nikoleizig, L.; Alfermann, D. Effects of Self-Talk Training on Competitive Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, Volitional Skills, and Performance: An Intervention Study with Junior Sub-Elite Athletes. Sports 2019, 7, 148. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7060148

AMA Style

Walter N, Nikoleizig L, Alfermann D. Effects of Self-Talk Training on Competitive Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, Volitional Skills, and Performance: An Intervention Study with Junior Sub-Elite Athletes. Sports. 2019; 7(6):148. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7060148

Chicago/Turabian Style

Walter, Nadja, Lucie Nikoleizig, and Dorothee Alfermann. 2019. "Effects of Self-Talk Training on Competitive Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, Volitional Skills, and Performance: An Intervention Study with Junior Sub-Elite Athletes" Sports 7, no. 6: 148. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7060148

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Effects of Self-Talk Training on Competitive Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, Volitional Skills, and Performance: An Intervention Study with Junior Sub-Elite Athletes

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