The prevalence and influence of psychosocial factors on technical refinement amongst highly-skilled tennis players

Abstract

The present study investigated the prevalence and influence of psychosocial factors amongst a sample of highly-skilled athletes who had previously attempted to refine their technique. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with eight tennis players to gain an indepth understanding of their experiences during the process. Results revealed that participants sought to refine their technique in order to address an 'attenuated' movement pattern perceived as causing a competitive disadvantage. Addressing the psychosocial factors of interest here, commitment and confidence were reportedly important concomitants during the refinement process. Upon reflection, participants indicated that taking a break from competition and dedicating more time to the refinement might have increased the likelihood of effective change and performance improvement. Overall, findings indicate that psychosocial factors have a significant influence on players' ability to successfully enact technical refinement. However, it is suggested that greater consideration towards other motoric factors could also have improved levels of success. In conclusion, while the importance for change was understood, there is a need for improved understanding and planning in terms of how a coach might operationalize these factors within training for the competition environment.

From the Lesson Tee to the Course: A Naturalistic Investigation of Attentional Focus in Elite Golf

“…While this study showed that players were only partially consistent in applying the cues offered by the coach, there was a clear intention to follow the coaches' instructions. This finding aligns with Diekfuss and Raisbeck (2017), who found that "esteemed individuals", such as coaches, were influential in shaping Division 1 golfers' attentional strategies; a finding also mirrored in high-level tennis (Toner et al, 2020). This suggests, therefore, that technical training needs to be considered as an interactive biopsychosocial process, in that the player's focus (i.e., the psycho) is influenced by the physical skill being performed (i.e., the bio -long-game vs. short-game technique) and who is telling them to focus in a specific way (i.e., the social); not just simply a matter of what a player ultimately focuses on that is prioritized by theory from laboratory studies alone.…”

Golf Putting: Equivalent Performance with Ball Focused and Target Focused Aiming

“…What is interesting is that, where previous work has recognised a distinct cost associated with the skill refinement process (Carson, Collins, 2016b), especially when not conducted in a careful and considered manner (cf. Toner, Carson, Collins, Nicholls, 2018), as an incomplete strategy TFA did not reveal any similar patterns of performance on first attempt. As such, for the sample tested here and from a distance of 8 ft., at least, we recommend that golfers might try TFA as a 'cost-free' experiment.…”

Circuit Training on Athletes’ Behavior and Performance

“…In addition, Nicholls et al (2016) athletes' behavior may also be affected by stress the results of his study that elite athletes seriously influence the moral and ethical development of children and youth of many societies.…”