The Impact of a Motor Imagery-Based Training Program on Agility, Speed, and Reaction Time in a Sample of Young Tennis Athletes during Ramadan Fasting: Insights and Implications from a Randomized, Controlled Experimental Trial

Sporting Mind: The Interplay of Physical Activity and Psychological Health

The symbiotic relationship between sports practice and psychological well-being has, in recent times, surged to the forefront of academic and public attention. The aim of this narrative review is to comprehensively explore the intricate pathways linking physical engagement in sports to its subsequent impacts on mental health and synthesize the multifarious effects of sports on psychological health, offering insights for integrating physical and psychological strategies to enhance well-being. From neurobiological underpinnings to therapeutic applications, this comprehensive manuscript provides an in-depth dive into the multifaceted world of sports and psychology. Highlighting evidence-based interventions, this review aspires to offer actionable insights for practitioners, athletes, and individuals alike, advocating for a holistic approach to mental well-being. This manuscript highlights the profound impact of sports on mental health, emphasizing its role in emotional regulation, resilience, cognitive function, and treating psychological conditions. It details how sports induce neurochemical changes, enhance brain functions like memory and learning, and aid against cognitive decline. This review also notes the benefits of regular exercise in mood improvement, stress management, and social skill enhancement, particularly when combined with mindfulness practices. It underscores the importance of considering cultural and gender perspectives in sports psychology, advocating for an integrated physical-psychological approach to promote overall well-being.

Change-of-Direction Speed Assessments and Testing Procedures in Tennis: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Schneider, C, Rothschild, J, and Uthoff, A. Change-of-direction speed assessments and testing procedures in tennis: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 37(9): 1888-1895, 2023-Change-of-direction speed (CODS) plays an essential role in tennis match play, and CODS performance is, therefore, commonly assessed and monitored in tennis players. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to describe test characteristics, performance metrics, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and test outcomes of tests that are used to assess CODS in tennis players. A literature search conducted on PubMed and SPORTDiscus yielded 563 results. After applying the eligibility criteria, a total of 27 studies were included in the present review. Ten unique CODS tests were identified. 505 test variations were most frequently used across all studies, and total time required to complete the test was the predominant performance metric investigated. Intrasession test-retest reliability ranged from "moderate" to "excellent." Intersession test-retest reliability as well as the effects of tennis performance, sex, and age on CODS performance were unclear given the subject demographics and the limited number of studies that investigated these aspects. In conclusion, most studies included CODS tests that exhibit longer COD entry and total distances but similar COD angles to those seen during tennis match play. All CODS tests have at least "moderate" intrasession test-retest reliability. However, to improve CODS assessment methods and to increase our current understanding of CODS performance in tennis players, there is a need to conduct more research on the intersession test-retest reliability, construct validity, and the effects of sex, age, and tennis performance and to investigate other performance metrics that might provide additional insights into CODS (e.g., phase-specific performance variables).

How to play under pressure: EEG monitoring of mental activation training in a professional tennis player

The aim of this study was to monitor the mental activation training during match pressure imageries using a protocol with (MT) and without mental training (wMT) performed in the office and on the tennis court based on the analysis of heart rate, brain waves and subjective ratings in a professional tennis player with high imagery experience. Results showed that both in the office (MTo/wMTo) and on the court (MTc/wMTc) the tennis player's heart rate increased in the match pressure imagery (I.3-8), being higher in the MTo. It decreased in the pressure imagery using mental tools (I.8-13) in the MT. In the case of brainwaves, beta and gamma waves increased in the match pressure imagery (I.3-8); while beta, gamma, delta and theta waves decreased in the pressure imagery using mental tools (I.8-13), being higher in the office. Entropy decreased in the match pressure imagery (I.3-8), being higher in the MTo. It increased in the pressure imagery using mental tools (I.8-13), being higher in the MTo. Regarding subjective ratings, the tennis player felt the pressure in the match pressure imagery, being higher in MT. In the pressure imagery using mental tools he regulated the activation to feel it at an optimal level (7). In the imagery reality, the olfactory and gustatory dimensions were the most difficult to feel in both imageries.

Effects of Mental Training Through Imagery on the Competitive Anxiety of Adolescent Tennis Players Fasting During Ramadan: A Randomized, Controlled Experimental Study

This study aimed to analyze the effects of mental training through imagery on the competitive anxiety of adolescent tennis players fasting during Ramadan. This is an experimental study conducted with 38 male tennis players, randomly allocated to two groups: an experimental group (EG, n = 18), aged 16.9 ± 0.6 years, and a control group (CG, n = 20), aged 16.7 ± 0.8 years. The study was designed as a randomized, controlled experimental trial (registration code PACTR 202006847771700). CG watched historical videos of the Olympics, while EG performed mental training. The competitive anxiety state assessment was recorded four times. The first measurement was carried out 1 week before Ramadan, the second measurement during the first week of the month, the third measurement at the end of the second week, and, finally, the fourth measurement during the fourth week of Ramadan. Our results revealed a significant interaction (time × groups) for all competitive anxiety subscales. Higher intensity and direction scores for the cognitive and somatic anxiety subscales during Ramadan compared with before Ramadan for both groups could be reported at P < 0.001. Higher intensity and direction scores for the cognitive and somatic anxiety subscales during Ramadan compared with pre-Ramadan for both groups could be found at P < 0.01. This increase in scores was greater for the CG than for the EG in the middle and at the end of Ramadan at P < 0.001. Finally, for the self-confidence subscale score, results revealed that intensity and direction scores were lower during Ramadan compared with pre-Ramadan for the two groups at P < 0.01. The score for the intensity of self-confidence was higher for the EG compared with the CG at the end of Ramadan at P < 0.001. It was concluded that mental imagery training was effective in reducing anxiety (cognitive and somatic) and increasing self-confidence in the intensity dimension of adolescent tennis players who fast during Ramadan.

Effect of Motor Imagery Training on Motor Learning in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: There is an urgent need to systematically analyze the growing body of literature on the effect of motor imagery (MI) training in children and adolescents. Methods: Seven databases and clinicaltrials.gov were searched. Two reviewers independently screened references and full texts, and extracted data (studies’ methodology, MI elements, temporal parameters). Two studies were meta-analyzed providing the standard mean difference (SDM). Selected studies were evaluated with the risk of bias (RoB) and GRADE tools. Results: A total of 7238 references were retrieved. The sample size of the 22 included studies, published between 1995 and 2021, ranged from 18 to 136 participants, totaling 934 (nine to 18 years). Studies included healthy pupils, mentally retarded adolescents, children with motor coordination difficulties or with mild mental disabilities. The motor learning tasks focused on upper, lower and whole body movements. SMDs for the primary outcome of pooled studies varied between 0.83 to 1.87 (95% CI, I², T² varied 0.33–3.10; p = 0.001; 0–74%; 0–0.59). RoB varied between some concerns and high risk. GRADE rating was low. Conclusions: MI combined with physical practice (PP) might have a high potential for healthy and impaired children and adolescents. However, important reporting recommendations (PETTLEP, TIDieR, CONSORT) should be followed. The systematic review was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42021237361.