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Effects of a Motivational Self-Talk Intervention for Endurance Athletes Completing an Ultramarathon

McCormick, Alister, Meijen, Carla, Marcora, Samuele Maria (2017) Effects of a Motivational Self-Talk Intervention for Endurance Athletes Completing an Ultramarathon. The Sport Psychologist, 32 (1). pp. 42-50. ISSN 0888-4781. E-ISSN 1543-2793. (doi:10.1123/tsp.2017-0018) (KAR id:62327)

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Official URL
https://dx.doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2017-0018

Abstract

This study examined the effects of strategic, motivational self-talk for runners completing a 60-mile, overnight ultramarathon using a randomised, controlled experiment. Data were collected before, during, and after an annual ultramarathon. Twenty-nine ultramarathon runners were randomly allocated to a motivational self-talk group or an alternative control group. A condition-by-time mixed ANOVA indicated that learning to use motivational self-talk did not affect pre-event self-efficacy or perceived control. A t-test and magnitude-based inference indicated that motivational self-talk did not affect performance. Nevertheless, follow-up data suggested that most participants found the intervention helpful and continued to use it six months after their research commitment, particularly in endurance events and to a lesser extent in training. Participants continued to use self-talk to cope with exertion, as well as other stressors such as blister discomfort and adverse conditions. Suggestions are offered for future research examining the effects of psychological interventions on performance in endurance events.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1123/tsp.2017-0018
Uncontrolled keywords: attention, concentration, psychological intervention, running, self-talk mechanisms
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Depositing User: Samuele Marcora
Date Deposited: 19 Jul 2017 12:48 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2021 13:46 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/62327 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)
Meijen, Carla: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0191-5344
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