An investigation into handedness and choking under pressure in sport
- Mesagno, Christopher, Garvey, Jacob, Tibbert, Stephanie, Gröpel, Peter
- Authors: Mesagno, Christopher , Garvey, Jacob , Tibbert, Stephanie , Gröpel, Peter
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport Vol. 90, no. 2 (2019), p. 217-226
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- Description: When athletes fail to perform at an expected level during an important moment, it is implied the athletes have experienced “choking“ (sudden decline in performance) under pressure.”. Researchers have reported that persistent left-hemispheric activation patterns occur when an athlete experiences considerable performance deteriorations under pressure. Researchers have also observed differences in brain activation patterns between left- and right-handed people on a variety of physical and cognitive tests, with the left-hemispheric activation more pronounced in right-handed participants. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether athletes’ handedness may be linked to choking susceptibility (i.e., likelihood to experience performance decline under pressure). Method: Twenty right-handed and 13 left-handed experienced Australian football players completed 15 shot attempts, in both a low-pressure and a high-pressure condition. Both groups displayed equal state anxiety increases due to the pressure manipulation, indicating similar increases in anxiety in both handedness groups. Results: Differences were indicated in performance between the left- and right-handed groups during the high-pressure condition, with the left-handed group maintaining, and the right-handed participants declining, performance. Conclusion: Future electroencephalogram (EEG) research investigating this link may clarify the effect between handedness and choking.
- Authors: Mesagno, Christopher , Garvey, Jacob , Tibbert, Stephanie , Gröpel, Peter
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport Vol. 90, no. 2 (2019), p. 217-226
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: When athletes fail to perform at an expected level during an important moment, it is implied the athletes have experienced “choking“ (sudden decline in performance) under pressure.”. Researchers have reported that persistent left-hemispheric activation patterns occur when an athlete experiences considerable performance deteriorations under pressure. Researchers have also observed differences in brain activation patterns between left- and right-handed people on a variety of physical and cognitive tests, with the left-hemispheric activation more pronounced in right-handed participants. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether athletes’ handedness may be linked to choking susceptibility (i.e., likelihood to experience performance decline under pressure). Method: Twenty right-handed and 13 left-handed experienced Australian football players completed 15 shot attempts, in both a low-pressure and a high-pressure condition. Both groups displayed equal state anxiety increases due to the pressure manipulation, indicating similar increases in anxiety in both handedness groups. Results: Differences were indicated in performance between the left- and right-handed groups during the high-pressure condition, with the left-handed group maintaining, and the right-handed participants declining, performance. Conclusion: Future electroencephalogram (EEG) research investigating this link may clarify the effect between handedness and choking.
Nonautomated Pre-Performance Routine in Tennis : An Intervention Study
- Lautenbach, Franziska, Laborde, Sylvain, Mesagno, Christopher, Lobinger, Babett, Achtzehn, Silvia, Arimond, Fabian
- Authors: Lautenbach, Franziska , Laborde, Sylvain , Mesagno, Christopher , Lobinger, Babett , Achtzehn, Silvia , Arimond, Fabian
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Applied Sport Psychology Vol. 27, no. 2 (2015), p. 123-131
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- Description: The effect of a nonautomated pre-performance routine (PPR) on performance in a high-pressure situation was investigated. Twenty-nine tennis players served in a low- and high-pressure condition in a pre- and posttest design. The intervention group learned a nonautomated PPR for 4 weeks. Increases in subjective but not objective (i.e., cortisol) levels of stress were detected in the high-pressure conditions. The intervention group showed a significant decrease in performance in the high-pressure condition in the pretest (p =.005) but not posttest (p =.161). Using a nonautomated PPR may benefit athletes who experience a drop in performance in high-pressure situations. Copyright © Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
- Authors: Lautenbach, Franziska , Laborde, Sylvain , Mesagno, Christopher , Lobinger, Babett , Achtzehn, Silvia , Arimond, Fabian
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Applied Sport Psychology Vol. 27, no. 2 (2015), p. 123-131
- Full Text:
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- Description: The effect of a nonautomated pre-performance routine (PPR) on performance in a high-pressure situation was investigated. Twenty-nine tennis players served in a low- and high-pressure condition in a pre- and posttest design. The intervention group learned a nonautomated PPR for 4 weeks. Increases in subjective but not objective (i.e., cortisol) levels of stress were detected in the high-pressure conditions. The intervention group showed a significant decrease in performance in the high-pressure condition in the pretest (p =.005) but not posttest (p =.161). Using a nonautomated PPR may benefit athletes who experience a drop in performance in high-pressure situations. Copyright © Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
Characteristics of Polar Opposites : An Exploratory Investigation of Choking-Resistant and Choking-Susceptible Athletes
- Mesagno, Christopher, Marchant, Daryl
- Authors: Mesagno, Christopher , Marchant, Daryl
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Applied Sport Psychology Vol. 25, no. 1 (2013), p. 72-91
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- Description: The current research provides an assessment of performance under pressure by deliberately investigating responses of athletes who are polar opposite. Forty-six female netball players were screened to sample choking-resistant and choking-susceptible athletes. The eight selected participants then completed 180 netball shots in a single-case A1-B-A2 design (A phases = low-pressure and B phase = high-pressure), with follow-up interviews. Under pressure, choking-resistant participants improved their performance by using task-focus and avoidance-cognitive coping, whereas choking-susceptible participants suffered from performance decrements often applying emotion-focused and approach-cognitive coping. Researchers should further explore the unique characteristics of choking-resistant athletes. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
- Description: 2003010585
- Authors: Mesagno, Christopher , Marchant, Daryl
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Applied Sport Psychology Vol. 25, no. 1 (2013), p. 72-91
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The current research provides an assessment of performance under pressure by deliberately investigating responses of athletes who are polar opposite. Forty-six female netball players were screened to sample choking-resistant and choking-susceptible athletes. The eight selected participants then completed 180 netball shots in a single-case A1-B-A2 design (A phases = low-pressure and B phase = high-pressure), with follow-up interviews. Under pressure, choking-resistant participants improved their performance by using task-focus and avoidance-cognitive coping, whereas choking-susceptible participants suffered from performance decrements often applying emotion-focused and approach-cognitive coping. Researchers should further explore the unique characteristics of choking-resistant athletes. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
- Description: 2003010585
Which jump variables should be used to assess explosive leg muscle function?
- Young, Warren, Cormack, Stuart, Crichton, Michael
- Authors: Young, Warren , Cormack, Stuart , Crichton, Michael
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance Vol. 6, no. 1 (2011), p. 51-57
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- Description: Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between countermovement jump (CMJ) variables and acceleration and maximum speed performance. Methods: Twenty-three elite Australian football players were tested on a CMJ, which yielded several kinematic and kinetic variables describing leg muscle function. A 40 m sprint was also conducted to assess acceleration (10 m time) and an estimate of maximum speed (flying 20 m time). Players from one Australian Football League (AFL) club were tested and Pearson correlations for CMJ variables and sprint performance were calculated. Results: Jump height, peak velocity, peak force, and peak power had less than 50% common variance, and therefore represented independent expressions of CMJ performance. Generally, the correlations between CMJ variables and sprinting performance were stronger for maximum speed (small to large effect sizes) than for acceleration (trivial to moderate sizes). The variable that produced the strongest correlation with acceleration was jump height (r = -0.430, P = .041) and with maximum speed was peak power/weight (r = -0.649, P = .001). Conclusions: The results indicate that if an integrated system comprising a position transducer and a force platform is available for CMJ assessment, jump height and peak power/weight are useful variables to describe leg muscle explosive function for athletes who perform sprints.
Caffeine, carbohydrate, and cooling use during prolonged simulated tennis
- Hornery, Daniel, Mujika, Inigo, Young, Warren, Farrow, Damian
- Authors: Hornery, Daniel , Mujika, Inigo , Young, Warren , Farrow, Damian
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance Vol. 2, no. 4 (2007), p. 423-438
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- Description: Purpose: To determine the effects of prolonged simulated tennis on performance and the ergogenic potential of caffeine, carbohydrates, and cooling. Methods: Twelve highly trained male tennis players (age 18.3 ± 3.0 y, height 178.8 ± 8.5 cm, body mass 73.95 ± 12.30 kg, mean ± SD) performed 4 simulated matches (2 h 40 min) against a ball machine on an indoor hard court. The counterbalanced experimental trials involved caffeine supplementation (3 mg/kg), carbohydrate supplementation (6% solution), precooling and intermittent cooling, and placebo control. Physiological markers (core temperature, heart rate, blood lactate, and blood glucose), subjective responses (ratings of perceived exertion and thermal sensation), stroke velocity and accuracy, serve kinematics, and tennis-specific perceptual skill quantified the efficacy of interventions. Results: Significant effects of time (P < .01) reflected increased physiological demand, reduced serve velocity and ground-stroke velocity and accuracy, and a slowing of the serve racket-arm acceleration phase. Caffeine increased serve velocity (165 ± 15 km/h) in the final set of the match (P = .014) compared with placebo (159 ± 15 km/h, P = .008) and carbohydrate (158 ± 13 km/h, P = .001) conditions. Carbohydrate and cooling conditions afforded physiological advantage (increased blood glucose, P < .01, and reduced preexercise thermal sensation, P < .01) but did not affect performance relative to the placebo condition. Conclusions: Prolonged simulated tennis induced significant decrements in tennis skills. Caffeine supplementation partly attenuated the effects of fatigue and increased serve velocity. In contrast, carbohydrate and cooling strategies had little ergogenic effect on tennis performance.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005648
- Authors: Hornery, Daniel , Mujika, Inigo , Young, Warren , Farrow, Damian
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance Vol. 2, no. 4 (2007), p. 423-438
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Purpose: To determine the effects of prolonged simulated tennis on performance and the ergogenic potential of caffeine, carbohydrates, and cooling. Methods: Twelve highly trained male tennis players (age 18.3 ± 3.0 y, height 178.8 ± 8.5 cm, body mass 73.95 ± 12.30 kg, mean ± SD) performed 4 simulated matches (2 h 40 min) against a ball machine on an indoor hard court. The counterbalanced experimental trials involved caffeine supplementation (3 mg/kg), carbohydrate supplementation (6% solution), precooling and intermittent cooling, and placebo control. Physiological markers (core temperature, heart rate, blood lactate, and blood glucose), subjective responses (ratings of perceived exertion and thermal sensation), stroke velocity and accuracy, serve kinematics, and tennis-specific perceptual skill quantified the efficacy of interventions. Results: Significant effects of time (P < .01) reflected increased physiological demand, reduced serve velocity and ground-stroke velocity and accuracy, and a slowing of the serve racket-arm acceleration phase. Caffeine increased serve velocity (165 ± 15 km/h) in the final set of the match (P = .014) compared with placebo (159 ± 15 km/h, P = .008) and carbohydrate (158 ± 13 km/h, P = .001) conditions. Carbohydrate and cooling conditions afforded physiological advantage (increased blood glucose, P < .01, and reduced preexercise thermal sensation, P < .01) but did not affect performance relative to the placebo condition. Conclusions: Prolonged simulated tennis induced significant decrements in tennis skills. Caffeine supplementation partly attenuated the effects of fatigue and increased serve velocity. In contrast, carbohydrate and cooling strategies had little ergogenic effect on tennis performance.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005648
Relationship between pre-season anthropometric and fitness measures and indicators of playing performance in elite junior Australian rules football
- Authors: Young, Warren , Pryor, Luke
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 10, no. 2 (2007), p. 110-118
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- Description: The purpose of this research was to determine the relationships between selected anthropometric and fitness measures with indicators of performance in elite junior Australian football players. During the pre-season, 485 players from the elite Victorian under-18 Australian Rules football competition were tested for height, body mass, hand span, arm length, standing reach, vertical jump, 5 and 20 m sprint times, agility, predicted over(V, ) O2 max and sit and reach flexibility. Performance indicators included being selected for the first game of the season and the number of possessions, marks, hitouts, and the number of games where votes were awarded in the first eight games of the season. The top and bottom four teams on the ladder were also compared after eight games. Players were divided into groups on the basis of the above indicators and the groups were compared statistically by analysis of variance (ANOVA). There were several significant differences between selected and non-selected players. Players acquiring the most possessions were significantly (p < 0.05) shorter (effect size: ES = 0.78), with less body mass (ES = 0.55) and possessed greater acceleration (ES = 0.44-0.56) and endurance (ES = 0.51). Body mass was significantly related to the number of marks and height was related to hitouts (p < 0.05). Acceleration was the only fitness quality to discriminate between higher and lower vote winners. The players from the top four teams had a significantly greater standing reach (p = 0.038, ES = 0.53), were heavier (p = 0.032, ES = 0.55) but not superior in any fitness measure. Generally hand span, agility and flexibility were not related to performance indicators. It was concluded that shorter and lighter players who possess high levels of speed and endurance are more likely to acquire possessions and be awarded votes, however these attributes do not guarantee team success. The small relationships between agility and flexibility to performance might be explained by the choice of tests used to assess these qualities. © 2006 Sports Medicine Australia.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005642
- Authors: Young, Warren , Pryor, Luke
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 10, no. 2 (2007), p. 110-118
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The purpose of this research was to determine the relationships between selected anthropometric and fitness measures with indicators of performance in elite junior Australian football players. During the pre-season, 485 players from the elite Victorian under-18 Australian Rules football competition were tested for height, body mass, hand span, arm length, standing reach, vertical jump, 5 and 20 m sprint times, agility, predicted over(V, ) O2 max and sit and reach flexibility. Performance indicators included being selected for the first game of the season and the number of possessions, marks, hitouts, and the number of games where votes were awarded in the first eight games of the season. The top and bottom four teams on the ladder were also compared after eight games. Players were divided into groups on the basis of the above indicators and the groups were compared statistically by analysis of variance (ANOVA). There were several significant differences between selected and non-selected players. Players acquiring the most possessions were significantly (p < 0.05) shorter (effect size: ES = 0.78), with less body mass (ES = 0.55) and possessed greater acceleration (ES = 0.44-0.56) and endurance (ES = 0.51). Body mass was significantly related to the number of marks and height was related to hitouts (p < 0.05). Acceleration was the only fitness quality to discriminate between higher and lower vote winners. The players from the top four teams had a significantly greater standing reach (p = 0.038, ES = 0.53), were heavier (p = 0.032, ES = 0.55) but not superior in any fitness measure. Generally hand span, agility and flexibility were not related to performance indicators. It was concluded that shorter and lighter players who possess high levels of speed and endurance are more likely to acquire possessions and be awarded votes, however these attributes do not guarantee team success. The small relationships between agility and flexibility to performance might be explained by the choice of tests used to assess these qualities. © 2006 Sports Medicine Australia.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005642
Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of starters and non-starters and playing positions in elite Australian Rules football : A case study
- Young, Warren, Newton, Robert, Doyle, Tim, Chapman, Dale, Cormack, Stuart, Stewart, Glenn, Dawson, Brian
- Authors: Young, Warren , Newton, Robert , Doyle, Tim , Chapman, Dale , Cormack, Stuart , Stewart, Glenn , Dawson, Brian
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 8, no. 3 (Sep 2005), p. 333-345
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- Description: A purpose of this study was to determine if pre-season anthropometric and physiological measures were significantly different for the players from one Australian Football League (AFL) club selected to play in the first game of the season compared to the players not selected. Another purpose was to compare fitness test results for defenders, forwards and mid-fielders in the same AFL club. Thirty-four players were tested for isolated quadriceps and hamstrings strength, leg extensor muscle strength and power, upper body strength, sprinting speed, vertical jump (VJ), endurance, skinfolds and hamstring flexibility. The starters who were selected to play the first game were a significantly older and more experienced playing group, and were significantly better (p < 0.05) in measures of leg power, sprinting speed and the distance covered in the Yo Yo intermittent recovery test compared to the non-starters. Although there were trends for the superiority of the starters, the differences in lower and upper body strength, VJ and predicted VO(2)max were nonsignificant. The forwards generally produced the worst fitness scores of the playing positions with the midfielders having significantly lower skinfolds and the defenders possessing better hamstring strength and VJ compared to the forwards. It was concluded that some fitness qualities can differentiate between starters and non-starters, at least in one AFL club. Comparisons of playing positions and the development of fitness norms for AFL players require further research.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001187
- Authors: Young, Warren , Newton, Robert , Doyle, Tim , Chapman, Dale , Cormack, Stuart , Stewart, Glenn , Dawson, Brian
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 8, no. 3 (Sep 2005), p. 333-345
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: A purpose of this study was to determine if pre-season anthropometric and physiological measures were significantly different for the players from one Australian Football League (AFL) club selected to play in the first game of the season compared to the players not selected. Another purpose was to compare fitness test results for defenders, forwards and mid-fielders in the same AFL club. Thirty-four players were tested for isolated quadriceps and hamstrings strength, leg extensor muscle strength and power, upper body strength, sprinting speed, vertical jump (VJ), endurance, skinfolds and hamstring flexibility. The starters who were selected to play the first game were a significantly older and more experienced playing group, and were significantly better (p < 0.05) in measures of leg power, sprinting speed and the distance covered in the Yo Yo intermittent recovery test compared to the non-starters. Although there were trends for the superiority of the starters, the differences in lower and upper body strength, VJ and predicted VO(2)max were nonsignificant. The forwards generally produced the worst fitness scores of the playing positions with the midfielders having significantly lower skinfolds and the defenders possessing better hamstring strength and VJ compared to the forwards. It was concluded that some fitness qualities can differentiate between starters and non-starters, at least in one AFL club. Comparisons of playing positions and the development of fitness norms for AFL players require further research.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001187
Acute effects of static stretching on hip flexor and quadriceps flexibility, range of motion and foot speed in kicking a football
- Young, Warren, Clothier, Peter, Otago, Leonie, Bruce, Lyndell, Liddell, David
- Authors: Young, Warren , Clothier, Peter , Otago, Leonie , Bruce, Lyndell , Liddell, David
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 7, no. 1 (Mar 2004), p. 23-31
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- Description: The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of static stretching in a warm-up on hip flexor and quadriceps flexibility as measured by a modified Thomas test and on range of motion (ROM) of the leg and foot speed at impact in kicking a football with maximum effort. Sixteen Australian Rules (AR) footballers performed two different warm-ups on different days. One warm-up involved five minutes of sub-maximum running followed by seven practice kicks, while the other also included 4.5 minutes static stretching of the hip flexors and quadriceps after the running. A modified Thomas test was conduced before and after each warm-up. Players performed maximum effort drop punt kicks into a net while being videotaped to determine the ROM of the kicking leg and foot speed at impact with the ball. There were no significant changes in flexibility (p>0.05) as a result of either warm-up and there were no significant differences between the warm-ups in the kicking variables (p>0.05). It was concluded that the Thomas test may not have been sensitive to possible acute changes in flexibility from the warm-ups, and that stretching had no influence on kicking ROM or foot speed, possibly because of the complexity of the kicking skill.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000977
- Authors: Young, Warren , Clothier, Peter , Otago, Leonie , Bruce, Lyndell , Liddell, David
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 7, no. 1 (Mar 2004), p. 23-31
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of static stretching in a warm-up on hip flexor and quadriceps flexibility as measured by a modified Thomas test and on range of motion (ROM) of the leg and foot speed at impact in kicking a football with maximum effort. Sixteen Australian Rules (AR) footballers performed two different warm-ups on different days. One warm-up involved five minutes of sub-maximum running followed by seven practice kicks, while the other also included 4.5 minutes static stretching of the hip flexors and quadriceps after the running. A modified Thomas test was conduced before and after each warm-up. Players performed maximum effort drop punt kicks into a net while being videotaped to determine the ROM of the kicking leg and foot speed at impact with the ball. There were no significant changes in flexibility (p>0.05) as a result of either warm-up and there were no significant differences between the warm-ups in the kicking variables (p>0.05). It was concluded that the Thomas test may not have been sensitive to possible acute changes in flexibility from the warm-ups, and that stretching had no influence on kicking ROM or foot speed, possibly because of the complexity of the kicking skill.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000977
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