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The Effects of Stress Inoculation Training on Gymnastics Performance on the Pommelled Horse. A Case Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2009

Roger Mace ,
Clive Eastman  and
Douglas Carroll
Roger Mace
Affiliation:
Newman College, Birmingham
Clive Eastman
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Birmingham
Douglas Carroll
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Birmingham
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Abstract

A male gymnast who had represented his country in Olympic gymnastics and had developed a maladaptive mental approach to performing on the pommelled horse in competition was given stress inoculation training in order to help him overcome his difficulties. Preliminary interviews revealed that immediately before competing he became very tense, his arms started to shake and he had doubts about being able to complete his routine. In addition, he was unable to use visualization, a technique which he used for mental preparation on the other five pieces of apparatus in Olympic gymnastics competitions. Further interviews also strongly suggested that the subject had developed an unconscious set of negative self-statements. An intervention programme comprising 12 sessions of training in relaxation, visualization and making positive self-statements was implemented. Recorded interviews and comments made by the subject on completion of the training indicated that the programme had been successful. For many years the subject had experienced problems performing on the pommelled horse and he had frequently suffered falls in competition. Towards the end of the stress management training programme his performance began to improve. He also became more confident and he used his stress coping skills in competition. In the National Championships he was able to relax, visualize his routine and make positive self-statements. Shortly after this competition he successfully completed his routine to a high standard without any falls to win the individual title in the Midlands Regional Championships. In a subsequent international match he again successfully performed his routine to a high standard.

Type
Clinical/Brief Reports
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 15 , Issue 3 , July 1987 , pp. 272 - 279
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1987

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