Showing papers by "Alessandro Quartiroli published in 2019"

Imagery ability of elite level athletes from individual vs. team and contact vs. no-contact sports.

Abstract: Background In the sport context, imagery has been described as the condition in which persons imagine themselves while executing skills to deal with the upcoming task or enhance performance. Systematic reviews have shown that mental imagery improves performance in motor tasks. Methods The aim of the present study was to explore whether imagery vividness (i.e., the clarity or realism of the imagery experience) and controllability (i.e., the ease and accuracy with which an image can be manipulated mentally) differ by sport types (team vs. individual and contact vs. non-contact). Participants were athletes from team contact and non-contact sports (rugby and volleyball, respectively), and individual contact and non-contact sports (karate and tennis, respectively) between the ages of 20 and 33 years (M = 24.37, SD = 2.85). The participants completed the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire, the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2, and the Mental Image Transformation Tasks. Results A 2 ×2 × 2 (gender × 2 contact-no-contact × 2 sport type) between groups MANOVA showed differences in imagery ability by sport type. Practical indications deriving from the findings of this study can help coaches and athletes to develop mental preparation programs using sport-specific imagery.

Self-Care as Key to Others' Care: The Perspectives of Globally Situated Experienced Senior-Level Sport Psychology Practitioners

Abstract: Engaging in self-care has been proposed as a means of counteracting work–life stress that can negatively impact efforts by sport psychology practitioners (SPPs) to effectively and ethically care fo...

Fostering and Sustaining Sport Psychology Professional Quality of Life: The Perspectives of Senior-Level, Experienced Sport Psychology Practitioners

Abstract: Researchers have examined psychology professionals’ ability to maintain and sustain effective practices while managing to balance their personal and professional lives. Stamm’s concept of professio...

The Multifaceted Meaning of Sport Psychology Professional Quality of Life

Abstract: Experienced and senior sport psychology practitioners achieved longevity in effective professional practice by embracing sustainable approaches to their profession (Tod, 2007), assumed to be influenced by their positive professional quality of life. The aim of this study was to gain insight into how these practitioners defined and attended to their profession-specific quality of life. Utilizing Hill’s (2012) Consensual Qualitative Research method, researchers examined the perceptions and meanings that 20 internationally located practitioners attributed to their Sport Psychology-Professional Quality of Life (SP-PQL). Findings revealed a view of SP-PQL that encompassed five domains: (a) the lived experience of SP-PQL, (b) the nature of the SP profession, (c) SP-PQL as an ongoing journey, (d) deliberate engagement in the SP profession, and (e) the interconnection between the personal and the professional. These practitioners recognized the importance of a positive SP-PQL as a foundation for a positive, effec...

Increasing Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches' Communication of Training Performance and Process Goals With Athletes

Abstract: ABSTRACT THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS INFORMATION ABOUT GOAL SETTING AND HOW STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACHES (SCCS) CAN INCORPORATE GOAL SETTING STRATEGIES IN THEIR ATHLETES' TRAINING. THE ARTICLE PRESENTS AN OVERVIEW OF OUTCOME, PERFORMANCE, AND PROCESS GOALS, BASED ON THE SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, AGGRESSIVE YET ACHIEVABLE, RELEVANT, AND TIME-BOUND (SMAART) FRAMEWORK. STRATEGIES SCCs CAN USE ARE PRESENTED TO ILLUSTRATE HOW TO INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PERFORMANCE AND PROCESS GOALS THAT INFORMED THE PROGRAM PERIODIZATION AND FEEDBACK PROVIDED BY THE SCC. THIS ARTICLE AIMS TO START BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SCC FAMILIARITY WITH GOAL SETTING AND INCORPORATION OF THIS MENTAL STRATEGY INTO THEIR COMMUNICATION WITH ATHLETES ABOUT TRAINING.

The professional quality of life of sport psychologists: development of a novel conceptualization and measure

Abstract: Scholars within the field of psychology have increasingly reflected on the cost of caring and the quality of life of people in helping professionals. Indeed, the balance between the positive and the challenging aspects of this helping profession has become central in this discourse. In line with these developments, researchers have attempted to better understand Sport Psychology-Professional Quality of Life (SP-PQL). In this manuscript, we present the findings of a Delphi method study in which we aimed to develop an operational definition, conceptualization, and measure of SP-PQL. Specifically, we outline a rigorous, iterative three-stage Delphi process which was undertaken to reach expert panel consensus. In total, 16 participants with over 10 years of experience in sport psychology, completed the three-stage Delphi. This study extends knowledge on quality of life in sport psychology via the development of a bi-dimensional model comprising challenges to and strategies to foster (SP-PQL). Moreover, the Delphi process led to the development of a novel instrument to measure SP-PQL among this professional group. Definitional, conceptual, and measurement advances emanating from this study and future considerations are discussed in relation to professional development, education, and future research.