Time-out! How psychological momentum builds up and breaks down in table tennis

Abstract

The current study examined the development of psychological momentum (PM) in table tennis and the effect of a time-out. Eighty table tennis players were exposed to an audiovisual scenario, in which they either came back from 1-7 to 7-7 in an all-decisive game (positive momentum), or in which the opponent came back from 7-1 to 7-7 (negative momentum). Furthermore, at the score of 7-7 a time-out was called. One group of participants received no specific instructions during the time-out, whereas the other group received task (mastery-approach - MAp) instructions. Overall, PM perceptions increased for participants in the positive momentum condition, but decreased rapidly for participants in the negative momentum condition. In addition, the time-out led to a loss of PM in the positive momentum condition, but to a recovery of PM in the negative momentum condition. The instructions during the time-out did not make a significant difference. Together, these results suggest that scoring patterns in a table tennis game significantly affect the PM of players. Furthermore, a player or coach could benefit from calling a time-out in a negative momentum situation, as this provides an opportunity to psychologically recover.

Investigating the Conditions for Psychological Momentum in the Field: Evidence From Men’s Professional Tennis

“…Empirically, PM has been predominantly examined in sports settings, where players, coaches, and commentators often refer to this phenomenon (Den Hartigh and Gernigon, 2018). In sports, different expressions, such as "hot hand" and being "on fire", "in the zone" or "in the rhythm", are used to describe PM when players exhibit winning streaks (e.g., Dietl and Nesseler, 2017;Green and Zwiebel, 2017).…”

“…One potential reason for the mixed results is that the empirical literature has mostly neglected the importance of the contextual and personal factors as well as duration effects underlying the formation and strength of PM. In particular, the effect of interruptions on PM has only been investigated in laboratory experiments, where participants are asked about their perceptions of PM in artificial scenarios or audiovisual simulations (e.g., Briki et al, 2014;Den Hartigh and Gernigon, 2018;Markman and Guenther, 2007). One notable exception is the work of Mace et al (1992), who show that momentum in collegiate basketball diminishes after timeouts.…”

Psychological momentum in football: the impact of a last-minute equalizer in a knock-out match

“…Researchers have defined PM as the perception of moving toward (positive PM) or away from (negative PM) a desired goal or outcome (e.g., Adler 1981;Vallerand et al 1988;Markman and Guenther 2007;Gernigon et al 2010;Den Hartigh et al 2014). This perception elicits changes in a network of psychological variables, such as experiencing confidence, control, optimism, and motivation (e.g., Vallerand et al 1988;Miller and Weinberg 1991;Eisler and Spink 1998;Perreault et al 1998;Briki et al 2014;Den Hartigh and Gernigon 2018). Importantly, the PM experience of players primarily depends on how a match unfolds, rather than just the current situation in a match (Gernigon et al 2010;Den Hartigh et al 2014Den Hartigh and Gernigon 2018).…”

“…This perception elicits changes in a network of psychological variables, such as experiencing confidence, control, optimism, and motivation (e.g., Vallerand et al 1988;Miller and Weinberg 1991;Eisler and Spink 1998;Perreault et al 1998;Briki et al 2014;Den Hartigh and Gernigon 2018). Importantly, the PM experience of players primarily depends on how a match unfolds, rather than just the current situation in a match (Gernigon et al 2010;Den Hartigh et al 2014Den Hartigh and Gernigon 2018). For example, the situation in a football match can be objectively neutral with a score of 1-1.…”

“…PM research across different sports has indeed shown that athletes develop positive PM when moving toward the victory, and negative PM when moving away from it (e.g., Shaw et al 1992;Perreault et al 1998;Briki et al 2013Briki et al , 2014Den Hartigh and Gernigon 2018). For instance, in experimental studies outside football, researchers have manipulated match scenarios to provide insights into athletes' PM processes.…”