Assessment of Performance-Related Experiences: An Individualized Approach
in The Sport PsychologistClick name to view affiliation
In this investigation we describe an individualized approach in the assessment of athletes’ experiences associated with successful and poor performances. Two studies were conducted to develop a profiling procedure to assess eight modalities of performance-related states. In Study 1, six high-level athletes assessed their states before most successful and unsuccessful performances using a preliminary 71-item stimulus list developed by a panel of four emotion researchers. They also rated the intensity of their states on a modified Borg’s CR-10 scale. In Study 2, five top-level divers assessed their states before multiple dives (three successful and three unsuccessful) using a revised 74-item list. The perceived impact on performance was also examined using an open-ended question. Individual profiles reflected two typical curves discriminating successful and unsuccessful performances. High individual variability in item content and intensity was found. Athletes reported a wide range of interrelated experiences associated with their performances. Our findings support the practical utility of individualized profiling to assess athletes’ performance-related states.
Ruiz is with the Dept. of Sport Sciences, University of Jyvaskyla, Jyvaskyla, Finland. Hanin is with the Research Institute for Olympic Sports, Jyvaskyla, Finland. Robazza is with the Dept. of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
© 2023 Human Kinetics