Showing papers by "Alessandro Quartiroli published in 2020"
TL;DR: In this article, a sample of 203 sport psychology professionals completed an online survey examining the perceptions of their own levels of cultural competence and found that most participants reported receiving formal training in cultural competence, however, this training was perceived as only moderately effective and only able to predict the reported level of the sport psychologists' perceived cultural competence in a limited way.
Abstract: Cultural competence, identified as the ability to understand other cultures and being aware of one’s own cultural assumptions, has been found to be important for sport psychology professionals (SPPs). In the current study, one of a few exploring the SPPs’ own perceived cultural competence, a sample of 203 SPPs completed an online survey examining the perceptions of their own levels of cultural competence. Most participants reported receiving formal training in cultural competence. However, this training was perceived as only moderately effective and only able to predict the reported level of the SPPs’ perceived cultural competence in a limited way. These results could be attributed to the reported lack of support for SPPs engaging in culturally centered self-reflective practice and to the limited role that these factors have played in training programs. Additional findings are described and discussed, along with recommendations for professional development and applied training.
13 citations
TL;DR: The field of sport psychology has faced a challenge in its professional formation, to the extent that some scholars have argued that its status as a healthy, sustainable, or viable profession is an open question as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The field of sport psychology has faced a challenge in its professional formation, to the extent that some scholars have argued that its status as a healthy, sustainable, or viable profession is an...
11 citations
TL;DR: The current study suggests the need for specific training aimed to enhance the SCCs' knowledge of and confidence in using specific SP strategies, which was influenced by the S CCs' perceived level of preparation to use these strategies.
Abstract: Quartiroli, A, Moore, EWG, and Zakrajsek, RA. Strength and conditioning coaches' perceptions of sport psychology strategies. . J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-Strength and conditioning coaches (SCCs) hold a central role in the development of student-athletes. Although they certainly focus on student-athletes' physical skill development, SCCs are in an ideal position to integrate mental skills into their strength and conditioning sessions. For example, sport psychology (SP) strategies can be used within strength and conditioning sessions to assist in athlete exercise execution by regulating arousal, improving concentration, confidence, as well as improve self-correction through self-talk and imagery. The purpose of this study was to assess collegiate SCCs' use of SP skills/strategies. A total sample of 415 SCCs (19.7% return rate) across the United States participated in an online survey. Although the majority of these coaches reported having less than moderate training in SP (59.9%), they also reported a moderate to high use of certain SP strategies (e.g., goal setting, self-talk). Strength and conditioning coaches' familiarity with, knowledge of, and confidence to use the SP strategies were found to be predictors of SCCs' frequency of SP strategy use. This study aimed to provide an initial exploration of SCCs' understanding and use of specific SP strategies, which was influenced by the SCCs' perceived level of preparation to use these strategies. For SCCs to be able to purposefully and confidently incorporate SP strategies into training sessions, the current study suggests the need for specific training aimed to enhance the SCCs' knowledge of and confidence in using specific SP strategies.
3 citations
3 citations
TL;DR: None of the physiological performance parameters was shown to predict changes in psychological variables, although their general trends over time correlated, and the results have practical implications for sport psychologists and running coaches, supporting the need for integrated working.
Abstract: Psychological variables such as motivation, self-efficacy, and anxiety have been widely studied in marathon runners, usually within the framework of Bandura's theory of self-efficacy. It is also assumed a link between self-perceived fitness and physiological performance parameters such as speed at ventilatory thresholds and running economy. The purpose of this paper is to describe longitudinal trends of self-perceptions and examine their link to physiological performance parameters over time. Sixteen healthy recreational marathoners (8 males and 8 females), aged M = 37.6 (SD = 3.9) who were about to participate in a major marathon agreed to participate. After 3 months of regular training and competition in shorter distances, all participants trained during a 16-week macrocycle under the supervision of the same coaching staff. At 4-week intervals, the participants responded five times the Podium questionnaire, measuring self-perceived psychological state relative to the upcoming race, and performed five exercise performance parameters tests. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the trends and associations. In general, Podium questionnaire scores were within the standard range, with the lowest values at the beginning and the highest values closer to race day. Although only perceived fitness (p < 0.001, Cohen's f 2 = 1.19) and somatic anxiety (p < 0.001, f 2 = 0.32) showed large effect sizes for the whole longitudinal period, other partial increases were found between time points. All physiological performance parameters presented significant improvements over time (Aerobic Threshold speed, p < 0.001, f 2 = 1.04; Anaerobic Threshold speed, p < 0.001, f 2 = 0.498; Running Economy in VO2, p < 0.001, f 2 = 0.349; Running Economy in energy, p = 0.024, f 2 = 0.197). The analysis of changes between consecutive time points revealed that improving perceived physical condition predicted improving self-efficacy (p < 0.001, f 2 = 1.33), and improvements in motivation were predicted by improvements in either self-efficacy (p < 0.001, f 2 = 0.36) or perceived physical condition (p = 0.003, f 2 = 0.17). Improvements in perceived fitness, self-efficacy and motivation were associated with small effect-size improvements (decreases) in anxiety. None of the physiological performance parameters was shown to predict changes in psychological variables, although their general trends over time correlated. The results have practical implications for sport psychologists and running coaches, supporting the need for integrated working.
2 citations