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Williams SE, Fergus TA, Ginty AT. Development and Validation of the Ease of Imagery Questionnaire. Assessment 2024:10731911241260233. [PMID: 39054848 DOI: 10.1177/10731911241260233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The present series of studies aimed to develop and provide initial validation of the Ease of Imagery Questionnaire (EIQ)-a measure assessing ease of imaging different positive and negative imagery content reflective of valence and engaging or disengaging in adverse situations. Five studies were conducted to collectively examine the questionnaire's factor structure and concurrent validity. Study 1 (N = 336) and Study 2 (N = 207) informed the development of 16 items of the EIQ, with a four-factor structure supported in Studies 3 (N = 219), 4 (N = 135), and 5 (N = 184) using confirmatory factor analysis. Study 3 also supported concurrent validity with significant bivariate correlations (p < .05) with the similar Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire subscales, while studies 4 and 5 demonstrated criterion validity in the EIQ's prediction of challenge and threat appraisal tendencies, perceived stress, stress mindset, and anxiety and depressive symptoms. Overall, the EIQ demonstrates a replicable four-factor structure and appears to assess ability to image content associated with positive and negative emotions as well as demanding stress-evoking situations.
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Beevor HJ, Ginty AT, Veldhuijzen van Zanten JJCS, Williams SE. Mastery imagery ability moderates the relationship between heart rate reactivity to acute psychological stress and perceptions of stress and physiological arousal. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14486. [PMID: 37973366 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Imagery has been associated with cardiovascular and psychological responses to stress; however, the mechanisms underlying this association are not fully understood. The present study examined if the ability to image mastering challenging or difficult situations moderated the relationship between heart rate reactivity and perceptions of stress and physiological arousal experienced during acute stress. Four hundred and fifty-eight participants completed a standardized laboratory stress protocol with heart rate being measured throughout. After completing an acute psychological stress task, participants rated how stressed and physiologically aroused they felt (i.e., intensity) and whether they perceived the stress and physiological arousal as being helpful/unhelpful to performance (i.e., interpretation). Mastery imagery ability was assessed by questionnaire. Moderation analyses controlling for gender demonstrated that imagery ability moderated the relationship between heart rate reactivity and interpretation of stress (β = 0.015, p = .003) and perceived physiological arousal (β = 0.013, p = .004). Simple slope analysis indicated that in those with higher imagery ability, heart rate reactivity was associated with stress and arousal being perceived as more positive toward performance. Imagery ability did not moderate the relationship between heart rate reactivity and perceived stress intensity or physiological arousal intensity (p's > .05), but imagery ability did predict lower perceived stress intensity (β = -0.217, p < .001) and perceived physiological arousal intensity (β = -0.172, p < .001). Higher mastery imagery ability may possibly help individuals perceive responses to stress as more beneficial for performance and thus be an effective coping technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry J Beevor
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Annie T Ginty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | | | - Sarah E Williams
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Mansell PC, Turner MJ. The mediating role of proactive coping in the relationships between stress mindset, challenge appraisal tendencies, and psychological wellbeing. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1140790. [PMID: 37941750 PMCID: PMC10628836 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1140790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Stress is ubiquitous and how individuals view the nature of stress can influence psychological wellbeing. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of proactive coping on the relationships between stress mindset and challenge appraisal tendencies and examine how this in turn related to psychological wellbeing. A secondary aim was to investigate if there were any differences in stress mindset between athletes and non-athletes. It was hypothesised that stress mindset would be indirectly positively associated with challenge appraisal tendencies through proactive coping, that a challenge appraisal tendency would positively relate to vitality, and that vitality would negatively relate to depressive symptoms. It was also hypothesised that athletes would possess more facilitative views of stress compared with non-athletes. Methods Two hundred and seven individuals (n = 101 athletes, n = 106 non-athletes, Mage = 22.76 years, SD = 4.94) completed an online questionnaire pack assessing stress mindset, proactive coping, challenge appraisal tendencies, vitality, and depressive symptoms. Results Using path analysis, the hypothesised model demonstrated a good fit to the data and the positive relationship between stress mindset and challenge appraisal tendencies was mediated by proactive coping. Challenge appraisal tendencies were positively associated with vitality, which was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Athletes reported a significantly greater 'stress-is-enhancing' mindset, greater vitality, and fewer depressive symptoms than non-athletes. Conclusion Findings offer support for the role that stress mindset has in potentially influencing psychological wellbeing and offer the novel suggestion that this mechanism may operate through proactive coping and challenge appraisal tendencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C. Mansell
- School of Health, Science and Wellbeing, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
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Wright LJ, Veldhuijzen van Zanten JJCS, Williams SE. Examining the associations between physical activity, self-esteem, perceived stress, and internalizing symptoms among older adolescents. J Adolesc 2023; 95:1274-1287. [PMID: 37248071 DOI: 10.1002/jad.12201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In older adolescence, stress has been found to be prevalent. It has been seen that higher physical activity (PA) relates to lower stress levels, which, in turn, relates to fewer anxiety and depressive symptoms (internalizing symptoms). However, how these associations function is not fully understood. PA is strongly associated with greater self-esteem in adolescents. As greater self-esteem is thought to aid better coping with stress and has been seen as beneficial for mental health in adolescents, PA may be associated with lower stress and better mental health through self-esteem and more adaptive stress appraisals. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the relationships between PA, self-esteem, stress, and mental health. METHODS A cross-sectional design was employed, and path analysis was implemented. PA, self-esteem, stress appraisals, distress tolerance, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression were assessed using online questionnaires from 244 adolescent participants from the United Kingdom (aged 15-19, M = 16.75 [SD = 0.82], 145 female). RESULTS Path analysis revealed that PA was associated with lower perceived stress through increased self-esteem, adaptive appraisals, and higher distress tolerance (total standardized indirect effect; p = .007 (-0.25 to -0.11). Moreover, lower perceived stress was associated with lower anxiety (standardized direct effect; p < .001 [2.65-4.0] and depressive symptoms (standardized direct effect; p < .001 [0.33-0.63]). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that higher PA could be effective in improving mental health among older adolescents, due to its association with perceived stress through higher self-esteem and more adaptive appraisals of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Wright
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jet J C S Veldhuijzen van Zanten
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sarah E Williams
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Budnik-Przybylska D, Huzarska I, Karasiewicz K. Does Imagery Ability Matter for the Relationship Between Temperament and Self-Confidence in Team and Individual Sport Disciplines? Front Psychol 2022; 13:893457. [PMID: 35898998 PMCID: PMC9311684 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.893457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The main purpose of our study was to investigate the relationship among temperamental traits, a general tendency to use imagery, and self-confidence in sport. The specific aim was to verify if general imagery mediates the relationship between temperament and self-confidence in sport, but also with respect to individual and team sport disciplines. The study involved 144 athletes aged 19-25 years (75 men and 69 women) with different lengths of training (from 1 month to 18 years) and presented different sports levels: international (n = 12), national (n = 46), and recreational (n = 86). They also represented individual (n = 73) and team (n = 68) sports. The Imagination in Sport Questionnaire (ISQ), Trait Sports Confidence Inventory (TSCI-PL), and Temperament Questionnaire (EAS) were all completed by the participants. Results indicate that self-confidence is explained in about 13% by temperament and general imagery, but only general imagery (b = 0.22; p < 0.05) and negative axes of the temperament-emotionality (b = -0.26; p < 0.05). The test of the indirect effect of the negative axes of the temperament on self-confidence through general imagery, conducted by Preacher and Hayes bootstrapping procedure, revealed significant mediation [b = 0.37; 95% CI = (0.09; 0.68); R 2 Med = 0.46] suggesting that about 46% of variance explained in self-confidence by emotionality is related to general imagery. The other 3% of variance explained in self-confidence by the positive temperament axes is related to general imagery, however, it was insignificant. The general imagery explains the relationship between emotionality and self-confidence only in individual sports athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmara Budnik-Przybylska
- Department of Sport Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, Institute of Psychology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Izabela Huzarska
- Institute of Physical Culture Studies, Medical College of Rzeszów University, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
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Williams SE, Quinton ML, Veldhuijzen van Zanten JJCS, Davies J, Möller C, Trotman GP, Ginty AT. Mastery Imagery Ability Is Associated With Positive Anxiety and Performance During Psychological Stress. Front Psychol 2021; 12:568580. [PMID: 33868067 PMCID: PMC8044829 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.568580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mastery imagery (i.e., images of being in control and coping in difficult situations) is used to regulate anxiety. The ability to image this content is associated with trait confidence and anxiety, but research examining mastery imagery ability's association with confidence and anxiety in response to a stressful event is scant. The present study examined whether trait mastery imagery ability mediated the relationship between confidence and anxiety, and the subsequent associations on performance in response to an acute psychological stress. Participants (N = 130; 55% male; Mage = 19.94 years; SD = 1.07 years) completed assessments of mastery imagery ability and engaged in a standardized acute psychological stress task. Immediately prior to the task, confidence, cognitive and somatic anxiety intensity, and interpretation of anxiety symptoms regarding the task were assessed. Path analyses supported a model whereby mastery imagery ability mediated the relationship between confidence and cognitive and somatic anxiety interpretation. Greater mastery imagery ability and confidence were both directly associated with better performance on the stress task. Mastery imagery ability may help individuals experience more facilitative anxiety and perform better during stressful tasks. Improving mastery imagery ability by enhancing self-confidence may help individuals successfully cope with anxiety elicited during stressful situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Williams
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mary L Quinton
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jack Davies
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Clara Möller
- The Wright Institute, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Gavin P Trotman
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Annie T Ginty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
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Spotlight on the link between imagery and empathy in sport. SPORT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11332-020-00722-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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McGinn S, Alcock D, Cameron L. A retrospective investigation of the impact of ‘eventing phase (dressage, show-jumping and cross-country)’ on pre-competition anxiety and self-confidence. COMPARATIVE EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.3920/cep190007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Working in the discipline of eventing (the triathlon of equestrian sport), the present study aims to extend current literature on the use of psychological skills within equestrian sports, by understanding and identifying differences in levels of self-confidence and competitive anxiety. Each eventing phase (dressage, show-jumping and cross-country) was considered and its impact on anxiety and self-confidence analysed. Level of competition was considered a covariate and its effect on specific eventing phases and any associated influence on anxiety and self-confidence within eventing phase was analysed. An experimental, 3×3 factorial, within-subjects design was used. 57 participants (52 female and 5 male; 18 professional, 36 amateur and 3 undefined) completed the Revised Competitive Sport Anxiety Inventory 2 (CSAI-2R), a 17-item questionnaire measuring anxiety and self-confidence. Descriptive statistics identified the show-jumping phase had the largest impact on rider somatic anxiety (SA) and cognitive anxiety (CA). The cross-country phase had the highest self-confidence mean score. Spearman’s rank correlations showed both SA and CA were debilitative for all competition levels. Both SA and CA were found to be more debilitating in the show-jumping phase when self-confidence was low. MANCOVA analysis showed that eventing phase had significant effect on anxiety and self-confidence when controlling for level of competition. Dependent on the eventing phase riders are competing in, they experience different levels of arousal and self-confidence. When SA and CA are a debilitative source of anxiety, this could result in rider muscle tension which is not conducive to effective horse-rider communication. Coaches or sports psychologists should consider how to help riders manage their anxiety levels in relation to the competition phase, with the intention of enhancing self-confidence and enabling facilitative SA and CA in preparation for eventing performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. McGinn
- MindOdyssey, Andover, Hants, SP11 8FB, United Kingdom
| | - D. Alcock
- Cleeve Hill, Bristol, BS16 6ET, United Kingdom
| | - L.J. Cameron
- University Centre Sparsholt, Winchester, Hants, SO21 2NF, United Kingdom
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Quinton ML, Veldhuijzen van Zanten J, Trotman GP, Cumming J, Williams SE. Investigating the Protective Role of Mastery Imagery Ability in Buffering Debilitative Stress Responses. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1657. [PMID: 31396128 PMCID: PMC6668598 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mastery imagery has been shown to be associated with more positive cognitive and emotional responses to stress, but research is yet to investigate the influence of mastery imagery ability on imagery's effectiveness in regulating responses to acute stress, such as competition. Furthermore, little research has examined imagery's effectiveness in response to actual competition. This study examined (a) whether mastery imagery ability was associated with stress response changes to a competitive stress task, a car racing computer game, following an imagery intervention, and (b) the effects of different guided imagery content on pre-task cognitive and emotional responses. In Session 1, 78 participants (M age = 20.03 years, SD = 1.28) completed ratings of pre-task anxiety intensity and direction, confidence, and perceived control. Imagery ability was also assessed before completing the task. In Session 2, participants were randomly allocated to an imagery condition (positive mastery, negative mastery, relaxation) or control group (no imagery) before completing the task and outcome measures again. For the negative mastery group, greater positive mastery imagery ability was associated with greater perceived control and perceiving anxiety as more facilitative. Furthermore, mastery imagery ability moderated the relationship between anxiety intensity and direction. Altogether, results suggest that positive mastery imagery ability may act as a potential buffer against the effects of negative images.
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Williams SE, Veldhuijzen van Zanten JJ, Trotman GP, Quinton ML, Ginty AT. Challenge and threat imagery manipulates heart rate and anxiety responses to stress. Int J Psychophysiol 2017; 117:111-118. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2017.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Ferreira Dias Kanthack T, Guillot A, Ricardo Altimari L, Nunez Nagy S, Collet C, Di Rienzo F. Selective Efficacy of Static and Dynamic Imagery in Different States of Physical Fatigue. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149654. [PMID: 26930279 PMCID: PMC4773141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
There is compelling evidence that motor imagery contributes to improved motor performance, and recent work showed that dynamic motor imagery (dMI) might provide additional benefits by comparison with traditional MI practice. However, the efficacy of motor imagery in different states of physical fatigue remains largely unknown, especially as imagery accuracy may be hampered by the physical fatigue states elicited by training. We investigated the effect of static motor imagery (sMI) and dMI on free-throw accuracy in 10 high-level basketball athletes, both in a non-fatigued state (Experiment 1) and immediately after an incremental running test completed until exhaustion (20 m shuttle run-test-Experiment 2). We collected perceived exhaustion and heart rate to quantify the subjective experience of fatigue and energy expenditure. We found that dMI brought better shooting performance than sMI, except when athletes were physically exhausted. These findings shed light on the conditions eliciting optimal use of sMI and dMI. In particular, considering that the current physical state affects body representation, performing dMI under fatigue may result in mismatches between actual and predicted body states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Ferreira Dias Kanthack
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la Motricité (LIBM), F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Sistema Neuromuscular e Exercício, Londrina State University, Paraná, Brazil
- CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Aymeric Guillot
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la Motricité (LIBM), F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Leandro Ricardo Altimari
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Sistema Neuromuscular e Exercício, Londrina State University, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Susana Nunez Nagy
- Unidad de Fisioterapia, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, España
| | - Christian Collet
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la Motricité (LIBM), F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Franck Di Rienzo
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la Motricité (LIBM), F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
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Wolf SA, Evans MB, Laborde S, Kleinert J. Assessing what generates precompetitive emotions: development of the precompetitive appraisal measure. J Sports Sci 2014; 33:579-87. [PMID: 25142783 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2014.951873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Athletes' precompetitive appraisal determines which emotion they experience with regard to an upcoming competition. Such precompetitive emotions have powerful and potentially destructive consequences for performance. To control and optimise these consequences, it is important to examine precompetitive appraisal. Currently, such efforts are hampered by the lack of a valid measurement tool. The present study aimed to develop a novel measure of precompetitive appraisal. Specifically, the Precompetitive Appraisal Measure (PAM) was constructed by adapting an existing self-report scale. Female and male intercollegiate team sport athletes (N = 384) completed the PAM, along with a measure of intensity and interpretation of precompetitive anxiety symptoms (CSAI-2D) prior to competition. On these responses, (a) a Principal Component Analysis and a Confirmatory Factor Analysis supported the PAM's suggested two-factor structure (Primary and Secondary Appraisal), (b) cluster analyses indicated the measure's ability to distinguish theoretically congruent appraisal profiles (Threat and Challenge) and (c) a MANOVA and multiple regression analyses demonstrated that PAM-responses predicted precompetitive symptom intensity and interpretation. Further, analyses revealed that the majority of athletes appraised the upcoming competition as a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja A Wolf
- a German Sport University Cologne , Cologne , Germany
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Cumming J, Williams SE. Introducing the revised applied model of deliberate imagery use for sport, dance, exercise, and rehabilitation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1051/sm/2013098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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