Effects of Psychological and Psychosocial Interventions on Sport Performance: A Meta-Analysis
- PMID: 27241124
- DOI: 10.1007/s40279-016-0552-7
Effects of Psychological and Psychosocial Interventions on Sport Performance: A Meta-Analysis
Abstract
Background: Psychologists are increasingly supporting the quest for performance enhancement in sport and there is a need to evaluate the evidence base underpinning their work.
Objectives: To synthesize the most rigorous available research that has evaluated psychological, social, and psychosocial interventions with sport performers on variables relating to their athletic performance, and to address some of the perplexing issues in the sport psychology intervention literature (e.g., do interventions have a lasting effect on sport performance?).
Methods: Randomized controlled trials were identified through electronic databases, hand-searching volumes of pertinent journals, scrutinizing reference lists of previous reviews, and contacting experts in the evaluation of interventions in this field. Included studies were required to evaluate the effects of psychological, social, or psychosocial interventions on sport performance in athletes when compared to a no-treatment or placebo-controlled treatment comparison group. A random effects meta-analysis calculating the standardized mean difference (Hedges' g), meta-regressions, and trim and fill analyses were conducted. Data were analyzed at post-test and follow-up (ranging from 1 to 4 weeks after the intervention finished) assessments.
Results: Psychological and psychosocial interventions were shown to enhance sport performance at post-test (k = 35, n = 997, Hedges' g = 0.57, 95 % CI = 0.22-0.92) and follow-up assessments (k = 8, n = 189, Hedges' g = 1.16, 95 % CI = 0.25-2.08); no social interventions were included or evaluated. Larger effects were found for psychosocial interventions and there was some evidence that effects were greatest in coach-delivered interventions and in samples with a greater proportion of male participants.
Conclusions: Psychological and psychosocial interventions have a moderate positive effect on sport performance, and this effect may last at least a month following the end of the intervention. Future research would benefit from following guidelines for intervention reporting.
Similar articles
-
Psychological skills training and a mindfulness-based intervention to enhance functional athletic performance: design of a randomized controlled trial using ambulatory assessment.BMC Psychol. 2016 Jul 26;4(1):39. doi: 10.1186/s40359-016-0147-y. BMC Psychol. 2016. PMID: 27457721 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.
-
Effects of Psychological Interventions to Enhance Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Sports Med. 2024 Feb;54(2):347-373. doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01931-z. Epub 2023 Oct 9. Sports Med. 2024. PMID: 37812334 Free PMC article.
-
Sport psychology and performance meta-analyses: A systematic review of the literature.PLoS One. 2022 Feb 16;17(2):e0263408. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263408. eCollection 2022. PLoS One. 2022. PMID: 35171944 Free PMC article.
-
Effects of Mindfulness Practice on Performance-Relevant Parameters and Performance Outcomes in Sports: A Meta-Analytical Review.Sports Med. 2017 Nov;47(11):2309-2321. doi: 10.1007/s40279-017-0752-9. Sports Med. 2017. PMID: 28664327 Review.
-
Psychological Determinants of Whole-Body Endurance Performance.Sports Med. 2015 Jul;45(7):997-1015. doi: 10.1007/s40279-015-0319-6. Sports Med. 2015. PMID: 25771784 Free PMC article. Review.
Cited by
-
The Effect of a Novel Video Game on Young Soccer Players' Sports Performance and Attention: Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR Serious Games. 2024 May 27;12:e52275. doi: 10.2196/52275. JMIR Serious Games. 2024. PMID: 38801708 Free PMC article.
-
Development and experiences of an internet-based acceptance and commitment training (I-ACT) intervention in ice hockey players: a qualitative feasibility study.Front Sports Act Living. 2024 Mar 22;6:1297631. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1297631. eCollection 2024. Front Sports Act Living. 2024. PMID: 38584684 Free PMC article.
-
Sporting Mind: The Interplay of Physical Activity and Psychological Health.Sports (Basel). 2024 Jan 22;12(1):37. doi: 10.3390/sports12010037. Sports (Basel). 2024. PMID: 38275986 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Ligament Injuries in Professional Male Handball Players: A 6-Year Longitudinal Study.Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Jan 15;12(2):201. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12020201. Healthcare (Basel). 2024. PMID: 38255088 Free PMC article.
-
Exploring a holistic training program on tactical behavior and psychological components of elite soccer players throughout competition season: a pilot study.BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2024 Jan 22;16(1):27. doi: 10.1186/s13102-024-00811-x. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2024. PMID: 38254231 Free PMC article.
References
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources