mentally “blocked” ( Day et al., 2006 ; Maaranen et al., 2017 ). Some athletes are able to perform the skills temporarily (up to a few times) when something about the environment is modified to reduce the potential negative consequences of balking, such as when using a spotter ( Maaranen et al., 2017
Search Results
Mental Blocks in Artistic Gymnastics and Cheerleading: Longitudinal Analysis of Flikikammo
Annamari Maaranen, Judy L. Van Raalte, and Britton W. Brewer
Flikikammo: When Gymnasts Lose Previously Automatic Backward Moving Skills
Annamari Maaranen, Erica G. Beachy, Judy L. Van Raalte, Britton W. Brewer, Thaddeus J. France, and Albert J. Petitpas
Mental blocks, phenomena in which athletes lose the ability to perform previously automatic skills, are well known but poorly understood. Study 1 was designed to assess mental blocks in gymnastics and determine if such blocks are distinct from related conditions, such as slumps, choking, and fear of injury. Mental blocks were reported to have unique characteristics and to affect backward moving skills. Study 2 was a qualitative analysis of the experiences of 5 gymnasts currently experiencing mental blocks on backward moving skills. Such block is called flikikammo and was described as cycling on and off, spreading to other events and skills, affecting visualization, and worsening when performance of the affected skills was forced by coaches. The findings are the first to detail the experience of gymnasts currently experiencing the condition. Additional research may help identify ways to alleviate and/or prevent flikikammo.
Promoting Athlete Mental Health: The Role of Emotion Regulation
Georgia A. Bird, Mary L. Quinton, and Jennifer Cumming
to control intrusive thoughts and anxiety ( Balk et al., 2013 ; Martinent et al., 2015 ), whereas uses of expressive suppression were found to inhibit performance ( Wagstaff, 2014 ). Sport is a demanding and stressful environment in which athletes experience many emotions during training and
