Effects of a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Intervention on the Rowers of the Junior Spain National Team

Abstract

Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been implemented in the training plans of many athletes and sports teams, obtaining very good results for the improvement of mental skills. These effects are achieved through improvements in cognitive skills such as motivation, mental concentration, and self-confidence, all within an appropriate context of specific physical, technical, and tactical training. However, there are few studies that consider the analysis of performance from a psychological point of view from a gender perspective. The objective of this study was to evaluate a mental training intervention (cognitive-behavioral therapy) in youth rowers in preparation for their participation in the Junior European Championship. A quasi-experimental study was carried out with the complete team of the Spanish youth rowing team (n = 16). The setting where the intervention took place was during the team’s stay prior to the European Rowing Junior Championships. Psychological variables were assessed using the Psychological Characteristics Related to Sport Performance Questionnaire. The final assessment was carried out the week before the championship (after finishing the 10th week of intervention). After the intervention, improvements were identified in the Stress Control and Influence of Performance Evaluation subscales in the total sample. However, in the analysis separated by sex, only women improved on the Influence of Performance Evaluation subscale. Lastly, the linear regression analysis adjusted for the sex variable was only significant with the age variable (with a negative effect). This intervention was found to be effective in improving only some of the psychological components related to athletic performance (Stress Control and Influence of Performance Evaluation). These improvements were not related to better results in the European Rowing Junior Championship. These results should be taken into account because they provide evidence for the efficacy of psychological interventions in the field of grassroots sport.

Diferencias de género en el rendimiento físico y la evaluación psicológica en el equipo nacional de atletismo cubano

“…This can be considered as a sub-phase for subsequent jumps over 40 centimeters, where no significant differences were found (p > .05). One possible response to help athletes 12 Efectos del entrenamiento cluster sobre la hipertrofia muscular: Una revisión sistemática Miguel Alarcón-Rivera, Luis Benavides-Roca, Cristian Salazar Orellana, Eduardo Guzmán-Muñoz Gender Differences in Physical Performance and Psychological Assessment Among Cuban National Athletics Team Feria-Madueño, Adrián, Montoya, César, López, Larien y González-Carballido, Luis Gustavo 12 find strategies that satisfy their psychological needs of self-efficacy may be addressed by Isorna-Folgar et al (2022), who recently found an effective cognitive intervention program for rowers from the Spanish national junior team.…”

Sport Anxiety, Fear of Negative Evaluation, Stress and Coping as Predictors of Athlete’s Sensitivity to the Behavior of Supporters

“…The coordination of communication between coaches, medical and psychological staff at all stages of training and competition is particularly important in the athlete preparation process [ 94 , 95 ]. The individualization of psychological intervention is significant as well [ 96 ]. The practical effect of the research is the possibility to identify the directions of personalized treatment of athletes in the process of training and their psychological preparation for competitions.…”

Sporting Mind: The Interplay of Physical Activity and Psychological Health

“…Therefore, psychological interventions are beneficial in enhancing both psychological well-being and athletic performance [ 234 ]. These effects are achieved through improvements in cognitive skills, such as motivation, mental concentration, and self-confidence [ 235 , 236 ].…”

“…Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been effectively implemented in training programs for athletes and sports teams, yielding significant results in enhancing mental skills. These improvements are attained through a comprehensive training approach, encompassing physical, technical, and tactical training [ 236 ]. The relevance of psychological interventions in sports is increasingly recognized for their role in enhancing psychological well-being and optimizing athletic performance.…”

“…It involves being mindful of internal and external thoughts and feelings without judgment [ 273 ]. In sports, mindfulness is used to enhance athletes’ acceptance and performance capabilities, effectively managing attention and improving bodily perception [ 236 ]. It helps eliminate prior emotional states of worry, avert performance failure under pressure, and adjust athletes’ mental states [ 273 ].…”