Revisiting the Self-Confidence and Sport Performance Relationship: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Examining the Relationship and the Gender Differences between Re-Injury Worry, Confidence, and Attention after a Sport Musculoskeletal Injury

Introduction: A sport injury is an unfortunate event that can significantly impact the injured athletes' psychology. There have been no studies examining gender differences in the psychological state after a sport-related musculoskeletal injury. Τhe aims of the current study were to (a) investigate the relationship between re-injury worry levels, confidence, and attention in the injured athletes who followed a rehabilitation program in order to return to competition, and (b) compare differences in these psychological factors between male and female athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used. A total of 60 athletes (30 men and 30 women) volunteered to participate, aged 25.50 ± 5.25 years old, all of whom had experienced a musculoskeletal injury within the past year. Three validated questionnaires, i.e., the Causes of Re-Injury Worry Questionnaire, the Sport Confidence Questionnaire of Rehabilitated Athletes Returning to Competition, and the Attention Questionnaire of Rehabilitated Athletes Returning to Competition, were completed by the participants on their first competitive game after their rehabilitation program. Results: All of the athletes experienced average levels of re-injury worry due to their opponents' ability and distraction attention, and high levels of confidence and functional attention. Many factors from the questionnaires were correlated with each other. Men experienced lower levels of re-injury worry due to rehabilitation compared to the women athletes (U = 329.00, p < 0.05), and women exhibited higher "Re-injury Worry due to Opponent's Ability" compared to the men athletes (U = 292.00, p < 0.01). Conclusions: A strong relationship was found between re-injury worry, confidence, and attention, with few gender differences. Since there is no previous research examining re-injury worry, confidence, and attention between men and women, future research with larger and more homogeneous samples is needed to confirm the present results.

Exploring jump experience, risk perception, anxiety and self-confidence in skydiving: A mixed methods approach

Skydivers are required to interpret person-context characteristics to overcome inherent internal challenges (i.e., fear and anxiety) and external challenges (i.e., equipment malfunctions) to successfully perform. Research suggests that as skydiving experience increases, skydivers' self-confidence in their actions increases, while their perception of risk and anxiety decreases. However, there is a lack of research investigating the influence of experience and considerations of performance in extreme sports. This study examined the influence of skydiving experience on the interpretation of risk perception, anxiety and self-confidence. Participants comprised 503 experienced Australian skydivers (Mage = 40.10, SDage = 12.40; 79.5 % male). Using a mixed methods approach, skydivers completed measures of risk perceptions, anxiety, and self-confidence related to skydiving, as well as open-ended questions on their skydiving experiences. The findings indicated that increases in jumping experience led to greater self-confidence, and self-confidence mediated the relationship between all elements of jumping experience and cognitive and somatic anxiety associated with skydiving. Thematic analysis reinforced that skydivers understood the inherent risks associated with skydiving, and that skydivers adopted positive strategies that promoted self-confidence and mastery to perform successfully, while also managing their interpretations of risk and associated anxiety that potentially exists. Further research is needed to better understand the interpretation of person-context situations in extreme sports and recognize the important affordances for performance.

Effects of self-efficacy on frontal midline theta power and golf putting performance

Introduction

Self-efficacy (SE), defined as an individual's belief in their ability to complete a task, is linked to top-down attentional control, influencing motor performance in sports. Although the behavioral effects of SE are well-documented, there is a lack of research on the mechanisms through which SE affects sports performance. Our research aims to elucidate the neurophysiological mechanisms that underlie the impact of self-efficacy on sports performance. Specifically, we intend to explore the effects of low and high SE on frontal midline theta (Fmθ) activity, associated with sustained top-down attention, and on motor performance.

Methods

We recruited thirty-four professional golfers to perform 60 putts, during which their electroencephalographic activity was monitored. SE levels were assessed using a visual analog scale from 0 to 10 before each putt, with scores categorized into higher or lower SE based on each golfer's individual average score.

Results

Paired t-tests indicated that trials with higher SE scores had a higher putting success rate than those with lower SE scores (53.3% vs. 46.7%). Furthermore, trials associated with higher SE scores exhibited lower Fmθ activity compared to those with lower SE scores (4.49 vs. 5.18).

Discussion

Our results suggest that higher SE is associated with reduced top-down attentional control, leading to improved putting performance. These findings support Bandura's theory of SE, which suggests that the effects of efficacy beliefs are mediated by cognitive, motivational, emotional, and decision-making processes. This study sheds light on the intermediate processes of SE by examining its impact on the anticipation of outcomes, sports performance, and attentional control prior to putting.

Effects of Psychological Interventions to Enhance Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Psychological interventions are commonly applied in sports to help athletes enhance their performance, but the effect psychological interventions have on actual performance is unclear despite decades of research.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a systematic review with meta-analyses to investigate the effects of a wide range of psychological interventions on performance in competitive athletes.

METHODS

A study protocol was preregistered in PROSPERO, and a literary search was performed in the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus databases. Psychological intervention studies were eligible by using a group design and a quantitative performance outcome with athletes competing at a regional or university level or higher. Included studies were assessed regarding intervention characteristics, research methodology, and risk of bias. A multi-level meta-analysis framework with cluster robust variance estimation was used to quantitatively synthesize the results.

RESULTS

A total of 111 studies met the inclusion criteria, and 25 of these studies (37 effects) could be synthesized into five meta-analyses in which there were similarities in the type of psychological intervention, comparator, and experimental design. Meta-analyses I (multimodal psychological skills training vs control), II (mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches vs control), and III (imagery vs control) consisted of parallel-group studies, and random-effects models were used to calculate the standardized mean difference. Meta-analyses IV (attentional focus strategies, external vs internal) and V (regulatory focus performance instructions, prevention vs promotion) consisted of counterbalanced crossover design studies, and random-effects models were used to calculate the standardized mean change using change score standardization. Significant results were found in three of the meta-analyses (I, II, and III). Psychological skills training (g = 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.21-1.45), mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches (g = 0.67, 95% confidence interval 0.01-1.32), and imagery (g = 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.14-1.36) outperformed controls with moderate effects. However, when non-randomized trials and subjective performance outcomes were removed in sensitivity analyses, the overall estimates of the effect size were no longer significant in any of the syntheses.

CONCLUSIONS

The significant moderate effects for psychological skills training, mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches, and imagery are not stable, and further trials with robust research methodology, such as randomized controlled trials, are requested for all types of psychological interventions aiming to enhance performance in athletes. Moreover, improved reporting standards and the provision of datasets in open science repositories are important to consider in future trials in sport psychology.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42017056677.

Beyond Belief: Exploring the Alignment of Self-Efficacy, Self-Prediction, Self-Perception, and Actual Performance Measurement in a Squat Jump Performance-A Pilot Study

It is widely accepted that athletic performance emerges from a complex interaction between physical and cognitive features. Several studies highlighted self-efficacy (SE) in the cognitive domain of athletic performance, but no studies have correlated SE with sport-specific tasks. According to Bandura, this study explored SE and its relationship with self-prediction (SP), self-perception (PSJ), and actual performance in a squat jump (SJ). Thirty-nine healthy collegiate students were assessed using an SE questionnaire, an SP measurement tool, and a validated optical system for actual SJ performance. An SE score and an SE esteem index (SEE) were determined. The alignment between an individual's SP of their SJ performance and their SE beliefs was also examined. The data revealed a significant correlation between SE score and both SJ (r = 0.432; p = 0.006) and SP (r = 0.441; p = 0.005). Furthermore, disparities among the actual SJ, SP, and SEE were statistically non-significant, implying a congruence between self-belief and performance. With a deeper understanding of the interaction between SE, SP, and sport-specific tasks, sports professionals could develop targeted interventions to enhance athletes' overall athletic achievements and apply SE as a feature linking physical and cognitive athletic performance.

Pre-Event Self-Efficacy and Sports Performance: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

The relationship between self-efficacy and performance exclusively within the sports environment is yet to be quantified. Hence, we meta-analysed this relationship by following the PRISMA guidelines. Two previous meta-analyses, five relevant databases, and Google Scholar were searched. Forty-four articles published between 1983 and 2021 met the inclusion criteria, with 55 independent samples. Comprehensive meta-analysis software version 4 was used for all meta-analytic calculations using a random-effects model to calculate the mean effect size, and a mixed-effects model was used for moderation analyses. The mean pre-event self-efficacy and performance effect size was r = 0.31 (95% CI 0.22, 0.40). For moderation analyses, notable mean differences (p values ≥ 0.08) resulted for concordance [concordant (r = 0.37), nonconcordant (r = 0.22)], sports skill [closed (r = 0.37), open (r = 0.23)], and athlete level [elite (r = 0.40), sub-elite (r = 0.28)]. The true effect prediction interval ranged from negative (i.e., self-efficacy impairing performance) to positive (self-efficacy improving performance) for all moderator variables except self-referenced vs. other-referenced performance. In conclusion, the relationship between pre-event self-efficacy and performance is positive and moderate in magnitude, although with prediction intervals ranging from debilitating to facilitating performance. Researchers and practitioners should note that high athlete-rated self-efficacy might not always improve impending competitive sports performance.

Barriers and enablers influencing female athlete return-to-sport postpartum: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

Motherhood within sport has become more common with many female athletes seeking to return-to-sport (RTS) postpartum; yet few sport organisations possess policies that support female athletes to RTS postpartum. Our aim was to synthesise existing literature to identify the barriers and enablers that influence female athlete RTS postpartum to help guide the development of evidence-based policies to support postpartum athlete RTS.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

DATA SOURCES

Ovid-Medline, Embase, SportDiscus and Scopus were systematically searched. Reference lists of eligible studies were also searched to identify additional studies of relevance.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Original, empirical, peer-reviewed, English-language studies reporting on female athletes and their RTS postpartum. Reviews, book chapters and grey literature were excluded.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies were included in this review. Identified barriers and enablers reflected 11 categories which occurred within and/or across three domains of the socioecological model. Five key factors were found to significantly influence female athlete RTS postpartum including (1) postpartum recovery time; (2) time to manage motherhood and sport demands; (3) sport organisation policies; (4) stereotypes; and (5) social support.

CONCLUSION

Various barriers and enablers exist that influence successful RTS postpartum. These factors present opportunities for clinicians and sport organisations to improve their support of postpartum athletes. Paid maternity leave, offering job security, travel support for carer and child and affordable and accessible childcare are critical policy inclusions to appropriately support female athletes in their RTS postpartum.

Emotional Intelligence in Spanish Elite Athletes: Is There a Differential Factor between Sports?

Emotional intelligence is a determinant factor in sports performance. The present study analysed differences in total emotional intelligence and its four dimensions in 2166 Spanish athletes (25.20 ± 10.17 years) from eight sports (volleyball, track and field, shooting, football, basketball, handball, gymnastics, and judo). A total of 1200 men and 966 women answered anonymously using a Google Forms questionnaire sent via WhatsApp about demographics and psychological variables. A Pearson correlation was conducted to assess the age-emotional intelligence relationship. An independent T-test and One-Way ANOVA were carried out to check for age differences between biological sex and sport and a One-Way ANCOVA to determine differences between sports controlled by age. Age differences were observed by sex and sport (p < 0.001). An association was found between age and emotional intelligence dimensions (p < 0.001), except for other's emotional appraisal (p > 0.05). Judo was the sport with the highest levels of regulation of emotions, other's emotional appraisal, use of emotion, and total emotional intelligence (p < 0.05). Generally, emotional intelligence was found to be more developed in individual sports than in team sports, except football. Consequently, psychological skills like emotional intelligence could be critical to achieving high performance, depending on the sport.

Special Issue: Sport Psychology Interventions for Athletes' Performance and Well-Being

Scientific evidence highlights that sport psychology interventions adopted by professionals are crucial for making a difference in athlete performance [...].

Assessing Decentering Capacity in Athletes: A Moderated Mediation Model

Decentering has received more attention in sports literature as a self-regulating skill capable of significantly limiting episodes of mental block in competitive situations. This contribution depicts a comparative study conducted with 375 Italian national and international athletes. The objective was to evaluate athletes' decentralization skills across different sports and levels of competition and test a mediation model of decentering in sports with coping and emotional balance variables. Pearson bivariate correlations, linear hierarchical regression, and simple mediation analysis were conducted for all main measures (The Decentering Sport Scale, The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and The Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced). Outputs reported significant associations with emotional regulation and coping styles. Mediation analysis confirmed the central mediating role of decentering capacity which has indirect effects on both the coping ability of problem solving (z-value = 2.986; p = 0.003) and cognitive reappraisal (z-value = 2.779; p = 0.005). Decentering acts as a mediator between an athlete's positive attitude, problem-orientation ability, and management of emotions in competition through cognitive reappraisal. The study highlights the significance of evaluating and enhancing decentralization skills in order to establish specific action mechanisms, which are crucial for both peak performance and the athlete's health.

Playing Disability Rugby League with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: A Case Study

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a common inherited neurological disorder that causes damage to peripheral nerves. Reports of CMT patients participating in team-based sports such as disability rugby league are scarce. The objective of this case report was to evaluate the benefits of participation in disability rugby league in a 50-year-old male with CMT. Leg muscle mass and strength was worse for the case subject compared to two age-matched CMT participants with an exercise history; however, evidence of greater function in the case subject was observed through better 6-min walk test performance. Performance in a series of sport specific tests was noticeably worse for the case subject compared to a fellow rugby league player (age matched) with cerebral palsy. Inferior in-game performance was observed for the case subject compared to his fellow rugby league player in terms of distance covered, top running speed, and intensity. However, the case subject may have assumed a different role when playing as evident by the different behaviours he displayed during the games (i.e., less player contacts, tackles, or touches, but more passes of the ball). This case study provides information concerning disability rugby league as an adjunctive mode of treatment for CMT populations.