Characteristics of Polar Opposites: An Exploratory Investigation of Choking-Resistant and Choking-Susceptible Athletes

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Mesagno, Christopher and Marchant, Daryl (2012) Characteristics of Polar Opposites: An Exploratory Investigation of Choking-Resistant and Choking-Susceptible Athletes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 25 (1). pp. 72-91. ISSN 1041-3200 (print) 1533-1571 (online)

Abstract

The current research provides an assessment of performance under pressure by deliberately investigating responses of athletes who are polar opposite. Forty-six female netball players were screened to sample choking-resistant and choking-susceptible athletes. The eight selected participants then completed 180 netball shots in a single-case A1-B-A2 design (A phases = low-pressure and B phase = high-pressure), with follow-up interviews. Under pressure, choking-resistant participants improved their performance by using task-focus and avoidance-cognitive coping, whereas choking-susceptible participants suffered from performance decrements often applying emotion-focused and approach-cognitive coping. Researchers should further explore the unique characteristics of choking-resistant athletes.

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Item type Article
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/23714
DOI 10.1080/10413200.2012.664605
Official URL http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1041320...
Subjects Historical > FOR Classification > 1106 Human Movement and Sports Science
Historical > FOR Classification > 1701 Psychology
Current > Division/Research > College of Sports and Exercise Science
Keywords ResPubID26665, ResPubID25572, performance, emotion-focused, approach-cognitive, high-pressure, choking, anxiety, sport psychology, quantitative research, qualitative inquiry, behavioral responses, coping strategies, cognitions
Citations in Scopus 15 - View on Scopus
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