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The individualisation and multi-faceted nature of pre-performance routines in elite track athletes
Abstract   Peer reviewed

The individualisation and multi-faceted nature of pre-performance routines in elite track athletes

M Swindells, D Dutton, M Thombs and Geoff Lovell
Book of Abstracts of the 13th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, p.666
Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS): Sport Science by the Sea, 13th (Estoril, Portugal, 09-Jul-2008–12-Jul-2008)
2008
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Abstract

Psychology Human Movement and Sports Science track athletes pre-performance routines athletics
An elite athlete's capacity to effectively prepare mentally for competition can be seen to be as equally important as their level of physiological preparation and training. Much of the previous research in the area of pre-performance routines has focused on a unidimensional approach; investigating the individual roles of the mental skills applied within. The aim of the present study was to investigate the multi-faceted nature of pre-performance routines and their effect on the cognitive and emotional states of elite performers. Participants were four elite track athletes who were interviewed in-depth as to their experiences of the use of pre-performance routines. Participants all competed in the same events at a similar elite level, to factor out inter-sport and inter-skill level differences as identified by previous research, and to highlight how the individual demands of a given sport can influence psychological skill use. Their responses were transcribed verbatim and put through a procedure of thematic analysis, yielding a series of common themes. Results demonstrated that extensive use was made of pre-performance routines before both training and competitive situations, and the athlete's individual feelings on the usefulness of routines were highlighted through paraphrased excerpts from their transcriptions. Participants utilised the psychological skills of imagery, self-talk, arousal management, relaxation strategies, and attentional cues to varying degrees. Participants also identified a myriad of key factors identified as being distracting to effective preparation and concentration before performance. The actual content of participant's pre-performance routines was investigated with applied examples being given. The temporal nature of routines were also acknowledged, with any psychological routines that performers carry out during performance examined. Finally, the role of pre-performance routines as an antecedent to consistency of performance and flow state were also investigated. In conclusion, this investigation highlights the importance of the individualisation of pre-performance routines, and future research directions are suggested. Strategies for applied practitioners and interventions are considered, with a key recommendation being that sport psychologists acknowledge the importance of individualising pre-performance scripts to specific athletes' requirements. These should be conducive to the athletes' own prior experience, individual preparation, and sport-specific demands. [Poster Presentation]

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