The Rowing-Specific Reinvestment Scale

A rowing-specific mindfulness intervention: Effects on mindfulness, flow, reinvestment, and performance

“…The present study developed and evaluated a multi-session rowing-specific mindfulness intervention and investigated its effects on mindfulness, flow, reinvestment, and rowing performance. In line with the abovementioned research, it was hypothesized that the intervention would increase mindfulness and flow ( Cathcart et al, 2014 ; Scott-Hamilton et al, 2016 ), decrease reinvestment ( Sparks et al, 2021b ), and improve performance ( Jones et al, 2020 ), compared to control.…”

“…Mindfulness, a practice which emphasizes open non-judgmental awareness and moment-to-moment attention ( Vidic and Cherup, 2021 ), is an increasingly popular new method. Indeed, mindfulness should allow athletes to accept their current experience and keep their focus on the present moment, which could facilitate peak performance and attenuate processes linked to choking, such as reinvestment ( Sparks et al, 2021b ). Building on this cross-sectional research, the current study employed an experimental design to evaluate the effects of a sport-specific mindfulness intervention on competitive rowers’ thoughts and actions.…”

“…Nevertheless, such studies cannot readily generalize to sport competition ( Toner and Moran, 2021 ), where pressure is more potent ( Masters and Maxwell, 2008 ). Nonetheless, some field studies have also revealed that reinvestment is associated with poor performance ( Iwatsuki and Wright, 2016 ; Sparks et al, 2021a , b ). Importantly, field studies revealed that MSC and not CMP was related to rowing performance during regatta races, which, with crowds watching on the riverbank and coaches filming, probably evoked self-consciousness of the rowing stroke ( Sparks et al, 2021a , b ).…”

“…Nonetheless, some field studies have also revealed that reinvestment is associated with poor performance ( Iwatsuki and Wright, 2016 ; Sparks et al, 2021a , b ). Importantly, field studies revealed that MSC and not CMP was related to rowing performance during regatta races, which, with crowds watching on the riverbank and coaches filming, probably evoked self-consciousness of the rowing stroke ( Sparks et al, 2021a , b ). Similarly, MSC but not CMP predicted disruption to top-spin and backhand table-tennis shots in the presence of an audience and camera ( Rad et al, 2022 ) Consequently, CMP and MSC components of reinvestment are worth examined separately.…”

“…Additionally, present moment awareness prevents rumination of experiences, thoughts, or emotions, and thereby helps athletes perform autonomously ( Birrer et al, 2012 ; Röthlin et al, 2016 ; Josefsson et al, 2017 ). Sparks et al (2021b) found that dispositional mindfulness attenuated the potentiating effect of reinvestment on the anxiety-performance relationship in rowers ( Sparks et al, 2021b ). This correlational evidence shows that mindfulness can aid performance.…”