While masters sport aligns with the holistic concept of active aging, related research has focused predominantly on the physical domain, and less is known about the psychological, cognitive, and social benefits of older adults' participation. This study examined, in combination, the perceived psychological, social, cognitive, and physical benefits of training and competing as a masters athlete, while considering age and gender differences. Forty masters athletes residing in Canada were interviewed (21 men and 19 women; 15 who were 50-64 years and 25 who were 65-79 years), representing 15 different sports. Interviews were coded both deductively and inductively, revealing several subthemes of benefits for the broader perceived psychological, social, cognitive, and physical benefits, with few but notable differences between women and men, and those younger than 65 years and those 65+ years. Our findings provide new insights into the positive experiences of active aging associated with high levels of physical activity among older adults, such as greater self-confidence, especially for women, comradery, and feeling mentally sharper, especially for the older age group.

Mental imagery and possible-selves interventions can help to improve physical activity (PA) in a variety of populations. Currently, no study has combined these two interventions to test the efficacy or possible synergistic effect. This study investigated the efficacy of a one-time exposure to one of three parallel interventions: imagery, possible selves, and combined, on exercise and self-efficacy, compared to a control group who were given nutritional information as an intervention. One hundred and twelve participants were randomized and provided data at three time points – eligibility screening, post-intervention, and 4-week follow-up. There were no significant group by time interactions or group differences. Main effects for time and exercise showed all participants increased in exercise suggesting that there are no advantages of the interventions. We discuss reasons why this may have occurred and suggest several areas for future researchers to expand upon, including replication with more exposure to interventions.

Purpose: Drawing from self-determination theory (SDT), the present study examined the relationship between motivation and eudaimonic well-being in the sport context. Method: The association between motivation and eudaimonic well-being was assessed using a latent variable model through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Three hundred ninety-nine athletes (Mage = 25.08, SD = 7.35) from 15 different individual and team sports completed a questionnaire package. Results: Results indicated that integrated and identified regulations positively predicted athletes' eudaimonic well-being. External regulation was also a positive predictor of eudaimonic well-being, while introjected regulation and amotivation negatively predicted athletes' eudaimonic well-being. Finally, athletes' intrinsic motivation did not significantly predict their eudaimonic well-being. Conclusions: Results highlight the complex link between different types of sport motivation and athletes' well-being.

Sport psychology has become widely applied in coaching practices to assist in athletic success. Despite the increased use, there is a lack of evidence-based sport psychology information available to coaches in the form of informal sources. The aim of this study was to conduct a pilot test to explore coaches’ perceptions and use of an evidence-based sport psychology website. Eight coaches participated in semi-structured interviews. Based on engagement, five of the coaches’ data was analyzed using thematic analysis on their experiences and revealed two main themes, website use and website enhancements. The remaining three coaches’ data was analyzed for their reasons for having limited engagement with the website and used to help identify ways it could be enhanced. In general, coaches perceived the website to be a reliable source that offered practical information (e.g. worksheets) that could be used directly with athletes, and was perceived as easy to navigate and to access information. There were, importantly, various improvements suggested for the website including delivery modality and guides for navigating the order for reading the information. This study offers evidence on the value of online resources in providing coaches with informal and evidence-based sport psychology learning opportunities, and also addresses a number of barriers to engagement as insight for website developers.

Purpose: It has been determined that exercise identity is a key component of the self-concept and is a strong determinant of exercise behaviors. The purpose of the present study was to examine exercise identity's relationship with three key self-presentational variables: self-presentational efficacy, social physique anxiety, and impression motivation. Methods: We looked at how exercise identity contributed uniquely to predicting exercise behavior over and above these self-presentational concerns for both males 10 (n = 140) and females (n = 234) recruited from two university communities. Participant's age ranged from 18-68 years, the majority identified as students, and as Caucasian. Results: The analyses demonstrated that exercise identity was positively correlated with self-presentational efficacy and unrelated to social physique anxiety in both genders. Further analyses revealed that exercise identity contributes a significant amount of variance toward exercise behavior over and above what is accounted for by self-presentational efficacy, social physique anxiety, and impression motivation. Lastly, exercise identity did not moderate the social physique anxiety-exercise relationship in either gender. Conclusion: These findings advance our knowledge of exercise identity and its relationship with various important constructs has been determined that exercise identity is a key component of the self-concept and is a strong determinant of exercise behaviors.

Aligned with the approach that established the factor structure of the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 (MIQ-3), this study extended the two-factor structure of the Movement Imagery Questionnaire - Revised Second version (MIQ-RS). The extension involves assessment of both internal and external visual imagery abilities along with kinesthetic imagery ability. Participants (N = 396) completed the new Movement Imagery Questionnaire - 3 Second Version (MIQ-3S) along with the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2 (VMIQ-2) which measure the same three imagery abilities. Alpha coefficients and between scale Spearman correlations for internal, external, and kinesthetic abilities indicated items were internally consistent (α > 0.87) and established convergent validity (r > 0.69), respectively. MIQ-3S scale means ranged from 5.56 (SD = 1.10) to 5.98 (SD = 0.84), with no differences by sex. The three scales were not multicolinear as intra-scale correlations ranged from 0.47 to 0.61, supporting the three abilities were related, but separate constructs. A multi-trait multimethod confirmatory factor analysis (MTMM CFA), with sex invariance, was conducted to confirm the 3-factor structure of the MIQ-3S. Results from 396 healthy male (n = 200) and female (n = 196) adult college-aged students (M = 21.91, SD = 2.37) indicated a correlated-traits correlated-uniqueness model provided the best fit to the data (CFI = 0.99; SRMR = 0.05; RMSEA = 0.03), while displaying sex invariance. These findings provide baseline data on college-aged, healthy adult participants providing reference data to those investigating imagery abilities among injured populations and practitioners interested in tracking individuals in rehabilitation.

The purpose of the present study was to introduce imagery and mindfulness to athletes as tools to help deal with competition anxiety, and improve confid ence, mental well-being, and performance. Two female varsity level throwers (Mage = 20) met individually with the researcher twice a week during the competitive season (25 weeks). Athletes were introduced to breathing and relaxation techniques, followed by basic imagery scripts and mindfulness. Results revealed that both athletes decreased their anxiety levels, while increasing their self-confidence, mental well-being, and performance. The findings highlight the positive effect of employing a combination of imagery and mindfulness in sport life.

Previous sport research has demonstrated that athletes of higher levels employ imagery more than low-level athletes. Because there is currently little research on imagery’s application in singers, the purpose of the present study was to investigate whether this finding is reflected in low-level and high-level singers. A study-specific questionnaire was developed that examined singers’ imagery use. The questionnaire consisted of four subscales that assessed vocal technique, performance anxiety regulation, goals, and characterization. It was found that singers used imagery most for characterization (i.e., portraying a character or feeling), followed by goals, vocal technique, and performance anxiety regulation. No differences existed between professional and student singers’ imagery use. There was a significant difference between males and females on the characterization subscale, suggesting that female singers may use imagery for characterization more so than males. Introducing this approach to imagery to singers and teachers of singing has the potential to influence music education in school settings and impact curriculum development.

Abstract The aim of this study was to translate, adapt and validate the Sport Imagery Questionnaire for Children to Brazilian Portuguese. For this purpose, analyzes of reproducibility, internal consistency and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted. The final sample consisted of 521 athletes from 14 sports and ages 14 and 19 (M = 16.31, SD = 1.18). High indices of internal consistency (? = 0.870), reproducibility (0.824) and content validity were verified. In the confirmatory factor analysis, it was observed the appropriate global indexes of adjustment to the five-factor instrument model (RMSEA = 0.060; CFI = 0.90; TLI = 0.88; SRMR = 0.047). The translated instrument has adequate psychometric indicators to evaluate sport imagery, presents a reproducible factor structure and is a reliable test to measure the frequency of imagery use in Brazilian adolescent athletes.

How new members are integrated into a particular group environment-also known as organizational socialization processes-have been shown to be a powerful predictor of newcomer adjustment in the workplace. Yet, there is a scarcity of research on how sport teams manage the integration of new team members, and the consequences of different tactics. The current research evaluated how socialization processes are associated with youth athletes' perceptions of their group environment. Across two time points, 202 competitive adolescent ice hockey players from 15 teams (M-age = 14.47, SD = 1.22, 54 females) completed measures of team socialization processes, social identity strength, and cohesion. Athletes' perceptions of team socialization processes (T1) were positively associated with social identity (T1 and T2) and cohesion (T1 and T2). Mediation analyses revealed that coach-initiated role communication tactics were positively associated with social identity change that, in turn, corresponded to higher levels of social and task cohesion. The results suggest that the processes surrounding the integration of new members may be a key lever for managing the social environment for athletes in youth sport.

We examined the influence of perfectionism on exercise dependence using the 2 x 2 model of perfectionism. This model posits that interactions between different forms of perfectionism; self-oriented (SOP) and socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) conduce to different outcomes. Three hundred and seventy-six college students completed an online survey measuring exercise behavior, dependence and perfectionism. When accounting for participant gender, we failed to find significant interactions between subtypes of perfectionism and exercise dependence. In contrast to our hypotheses and the tenets of the model, the highest levels of exercise dependence were mostly associated with high levels of SOP, as well as high levels of both SOP and SPP. This study adds to previous work that has questioned the tenets of the model as they apply to exercise. However, our results still highlight the importance of examining within-person combinations of perfectionism.

Previous research investigating the role or perfectionism in exercise has been limited by both the method of investigation and because it has largely examined the independent effects of different perfectionism dimensions as opposed to how varying within-person combinations of different aspects of perfectionism influence outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the role of perfectionism on social physique anxiety (SPA) using the recently established 2x2 model of perfectionism. This model proposes that different forms of perfectionism, such as self-oriented (SOP) and socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP), will interact to influence different outcomes. One hundred and ninety-four college students completed a multi-section inventory comprised of demographics, the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS; Hewitt, P. L., Flett, G. L., Turnbull-Donovan, W., & Mikail, S. F. (1991). The Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale: Reliability, validity, and psychometric properties in psychiatric samples. Psychological Assessment: A Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 3(3), 464), and the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS; Hart, Leary, & Rajeski, 1989. The measurement of social physique anxiety.Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology,11, 94-104. https://doi.org/10.13072/midss.598). In line with the overarching predictions of the model, we obtained a significant interaction between SOP and SPP on SPA. However, in contrast to the specific tenets of the model, the highest levels of SPA were associated with high levels of SOP and high levels of SPP ("mixed perfectionism" in the parlance of the 2x2 model). Thus, while the findings support the utility of considering within person combinations of perfectionism, they do not fully support the predictions the of the 2x2 model.

In team sports, it has been found that team mistakes were reported as a stressor by both males and females, and at every playing level (e.g., club, university, national). The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of partners' play on performance, emotions, and coping of doubles racquet sport athletes. Seventeen one-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted over the course of 6 months. Inductive and deductive analysis produced the main themes of overall impact on performance (i.e., positive, negative, or no impact), negative emotions (i.e., anger), positive emotions (i.e., excitement), emotion-focused coping (i.e., acceptance), and problem-focused coping (i.e., team strategy). These athletes acknowledge that how their partner plays significantly affects not only their emotions but also their own play and their choice of coping strategies. Future research should try to understand which forms of coping reduce the impact of partners' play.

Although research examining the effects of biofeedback on sport performance has provided valuable insight into self-awareness and self-regulation strategies to manage and control psychophysiological stress states, no research has qualitatively explored athletes' perspectives of biofeedback. The purpose of this study was to give athletes a voice in regard to their experiences and perceptions of biofeedback training postintervention. A qualitative descriptive approach was taken through semistructured interviews with 5 varsity athletes following a 5-session biofeedback intervention training respiration rate, heart rate variability, and skin conductance. An inductive thematic analysis uncovered 4 themes: knowledge of tool (i.e., psychophysiological control. synchronization of physiological functions), enhanced self-regulation skills (i.e., preperformance routine, coping with adversity, breathing techniques), use of skills outside of sport (i.e., academic performance), and application of biofeedback (i.e., application in sport). Physiological measures per session are also presented. Athletes perceived biofeedback to enhance self-regulation ability in sport and academics, contributing to perceptions of superior performance. Qualitative research seems to be a promising way to determine an individual's response to biofeedback by providing evidence to service providers on the value of biofeedback in terms of performance quality. Overall, findings from the current study highlight the positive implications of biofeedback training through the development of self-regulation, lending qualitative support to the quantitative evidence in the sport and performance literature.

This is a qualitative study in which detailed, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six male and female high-level singers. In comparison to Nordin and Cumming’s work on professional dancers, some similarities and some unique differences emerged from the results. The Four Ws framework was employed, which involves Where, What, Why, and When singers image. Like in Nordin and Cumming’s study, How was a dimension that emerged inductively from the results. Singers mainly used imagery for improving vocal technique, performance anxiety, and character development.

Purpose: Different athletes may experience different emotions, based on one's appraisal of the situation or environment. To date, this line of research has received limited research attention in sport dyads. The purpose of this study was to understand the role of a partner's play on the different types of emotion of athletes, as well as perceived impact on overall emotions, performance, and motivation in doubles racquet sports (i.e., tennis, badminton, and squash). Method: Using a post-test only, randomized experimental design, participants read one of three possible written vignettes that depicted different scenarios of their partner's play (i.e., poor, good, or usual performance). Participants (N = 103) were then asked to fill out a questionnaire packet based on the scenario read. Results: A Multivariate Analysis of Variance, as well as follow-up Analyses of Variance revealed significant differences between groups in subjective emotions based on whether their partner was playing poorly, their partner having a good performance or whether their partner was perceived as playing their usual game (control group). The results showed that athletes scored higher in anger and anxiety when their partner is playing poorly, and when their partner is having a good performance, athletes had higher scores in happiness and excitement. Conclusion: Overall, these findings imply that athletes' emotions may change based on how their partner is playing and provide a foundation to look at emotional reactions (action tendencies) and coping in sport teams.

Masters athletes are a unique group of older adults whose experiences may provide valuable insights into the role of sport for successful aging. The purpose of this study was to explore whether masters athletes' social and psychological experiences vary with their time, frequency, and perceived exertion in training and competition. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 men and women older masters athletes, aged 50–79 years (M = 66), who were active at the competitive level across a variety of sports (e.g., volleyball, curling, rowing, dragon boating, running, swimming, and basketball) at the time of the study. Results indicate that all participants experienced social and psychological benefits from engaging in masters sport. Only the high-frequency engagement subgroup (participating five to seven times per week in training and/or competition) reported social downsides, in terms of missing time with family and friends outside of masters sport. However, some participants described the positive family support (e.g., spouse who endorses sport participation) that overrides some of the social costs. These findings have implications for realizing positive experiences with minimal engagement in masters sport, yet an apparent threshold of participation beyond which negative social consequences may be experienced. This is an important consideration for the design and promotion of sport for older adults.

Biofeedback is among the various self-regulation techniques that mental performance consultants can utilize in their practice with athletes. Biofeedback produces psychophysiological assessments in real time to enhance awareness of thoughts and emotions. Quantitatively, research shows that biofeedback can facilitate self-regulation, allowing an athlete to gain control over psychophysiological responses that could be detrimental to performance. With technology becoming a widespread tool in monitoring psychophysiological states, an exploration of consultants’ use of biofeedback, their perceptions of effectiveness, and limitations of their use was warranted to qualitatively evaluate efficiency of the tool. A qualitative descriptive approach was taken through semistructured interviews with 10 mental performance consultants. Inductive reasoning uncovered three themes: positive implications, practical limitations, and equipment options. With biofeedback, athletes have the ability to develop a deeper level of self-awareness and thereby facilitate the use of self-regulation strategies intended for optimal performance states and outcomes.

Objectives: To examine the impact of an exercise imagery intervention (vs. an attention control) on the primary outcome of exercise identity, and secondary outcomes of behaviour and fitness, of female initiates during their involvement in a structured 8-week exercise programme (with two follow-up assessments). Design: Randomized experimental design with pre and post measures. Method: Female exercise initiates (N = 145) were randomly assigned into an imagery or control condition. Each participant was given an individualised, cardiovascular programme to follow for eight weeks. Participants listened to tailored imagery scripts lasting 3-5 min each week during the 8-week programme and at week 0, 5, 9, 18, and 36 participants competed assessments. Results: Findings revealed significant improvements over time for exercise identity, exercise behaviour, and fitness. In addition, a significant group x time interaction effect was observed at week 9 for identity in favour of the exercise imagery condition. Conclusion: Given exercise identity appears to serve as an important construct in the promotion of exercise adherence (Strachan et al., 2013. Understanding variations in exercise-identity strength through identity theory and self-determination theory. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 11(3), 273-285. doi:10.1080/1612197X.2013.749005), results of the imagery intervention in the current study are very promising; exercise imagery can be used to improve exercise role identity.