MENTAL FACTORS IN SPORTS 4

This fourth issue of Volume 15 of Coaching Science Abstracts reviews articles concerned with mental factors in sports. Previously, the topics included were offered as specific issues. Those issues were:

• Learning in Sports [Nature of skill learning, Content of instruction, Instructional styles, Forward shaping, Backward shaping, Teaching general behavior control]
• Psychological Activity in Sport [Cognitive activity, Arousal, Anxiety, Stress, Measuring psychological activity]
• Psychological Dynamics of Performance [Team building, Strategies, Psyching-up, Psychological skills training, Competition thinking]

Combined issues titled Mental Factors in Sports, Mental Factors in Sports 2, and Mental Factors in Sports 3 updated the above specific topics further. The contents of this issue should be married with the previous Coaching Science Abstracts' issues to extend understanding of the factors.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

POSITIVE THINKING AND TALK AND SELF-EFFICACY

1. SELF-EFFICACY IS MORE INFLUENTIAL IN NO-DISTRACTION CONDITIONS

   Davis, J. A., Miller, P. C., Cooper, K. L., Schmitt, E. E., Bixby, W. R., & Hall, E. E. (2007). Relationships between self-efficacy and exercise performance during treadmill running. ACSM Annual Meeting New Orleans, Presentation Number 2266.
   THINKING

2. EXERCISE STRESS IS ONLY PSYCHOLOGICALLY DETRIMENTAL IN INACTIVE INDIVIDUALS

   Kamijo, K., Nishihara, Y., Higashiura, T., & Kim, S.-R. (2006). The effects of exercise intensity and physical activity level on cognitive processing. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 2898.

3. EXERCISE IMPROVES MEMORY

   Beasman, K. M. (2006). The effect of an acute bout of physical activity on specific cognitive processes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 2900.

4. CAFFEINE IMPROVES COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN STRESSFUL EXERCISE

   Oliveira, M., Hogervorst, E., Gleeson, M., Bandelow, S., & Schmitt, J. (2008). The effects of caffeine on cognitive performance during and following prolonged exercise to exhaustion. ACSM 55th Annual Meeting Indianapolis, Presentation Number 2041.

5. COGNITIVE FUNCTION IS DECREASED DURING CONTINUOUS EXERCISE

   Del Giorno, J. M., Hall, E. E., Bixby, W. R., O'Leary, K. C., & Miller, P. C. (2008). Cognitive function during and following submaximal exercise: Does exercise intensity matter? ACSM 55th Annual Meeting Indianapolis, Presentation Number 2042.

6. COGNITIVE FUNCTION IS WORSE WHEN EXERCISING IN THE HEAT

   Bailey, S. P., Fredde, C., Sonnycalb, A., & Szabo, M. (2008). Effects of carbohydrate supplementation on changes in cognitive function during prolonged exercise in the heat. ACSM 55th Annual Meeting Indianapolis, Presentation Number 2422.

7. COGNITIVE FUNCTION IS BETTER WITH CARBOHYDRATE SUPPLEMENTATION IN THE HEAT

   Bailey, S. P., Henderly, B., & Fernandez, J. (2009). Performance in a virtual environment and cognitive function during prolonged exercise in the heat. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington, Presentation Number 713.
   STRATEGIES

8. PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS TRAINING IMPROVES HEAT TOLERANCE IN RUNNING

   Barwood, M. J., Thelwell, R. C., & Tipton, M. J. (2008). Psychological skills training improves exercise performance in the heat. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 40, 387-396.
   LEARNING

9. MAXIMAL MUSCULAR EFFORTS ARE GOVERNED BY MOVEMENT PATTERNS AND DO NOT INVOLVE THE TOTAL MUSCLE

   Gorgey, A. S., Mahoney, E. T., Kendall, T., & Dudley, G. A. (2006). Assuming recruitment of an entire muscle underestimates specific tension. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 721.

10. BETTER GOLFERS HAVE BETTER AND MORE CONSISTENT SKILLED MOVEMENTS

    Smoliga, J. M., Myers, J. B., Jolly, J. T., Sell, T. C., & Lephart, S. M. (2006). Highly proficient golfers exhibit greater consistency in driving ball flight characteristics than less proficient golfers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 2225.
    MENTAL SKILLS

11. MOTOR UNIT FIRING RATES CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSCULAR ENDURANCE

    Mettler, J. A., & Griffin, L. (2007). Motor unit firing patterns during fatigue: Adaptations following endurance training. ACSM Annual Meeting New Orleans, Presentation Number 1925.

12. CAFFEINE DOES NOT AFFECT POSITIONING FACTORS BUT DOES AFFECT FORCE REPLICATION FACTORS

    Henry, S., & Gamble, J. (2008). The effects of caffeine on proprioception. ACSM 55th Annual Meeting Indianapolis, Presentation Number 2038.

13. OBJECT CONTROL MOTOR SKILLS SHOULD BE THE FOCUS OF EARLY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DEVELOPMENT

    Barnett, L., van Beurden, E., Morgan, P., Brooks, L., & Beard, J. (2008). Do skilled children become active adolescents? ACSM 55th Annual Meeting Indianapolis, Presentation Number 933.

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