Nicole Detling

A multidisciplinary study of the 'yips' phenomenon in golf: An exploratory analysis

AbstractBackground: The ‘yips’ is a psychoneuromuscular impediment affecting execution of the putting stroke in golf. Yips symptoms of jerks, tremors and freezing often occur during tournament golf and may cause performance problems. Yips-affected golfers add approximately 4.7 strokes to their scores for 18 holes of golf, and have more forearm electromyogram activity and higher competitive anxiety than nonaffected golfers in both high and low anxiety putting conditions. The aetiology of the yips is not clear. Objective: To determine whether the yips is a neurological problem exacerbated by anxiety, or whether the behaviour is initiated by anxiety and results in a permanent neuromuscular impediment. Methods: In phase I, golf professionals assisted investigators in developing a yips questionnaire that was sent to tournament players (<12 handicap) to establish the prevalence and characteristics of the yips. Phase II measured putting behaviour in scenarios that contribute to the yips response. Four self-reported yips and 3 nonaffected golfers putted 3 scenarios using an uncorrected grip and a standard length putter. Heart rate was superimposed on the videotape and the putter grip was instrumented with strain gauges to measure grip force. Electromyograms and relative putting performance were also measured. Results: The questionnaire was sent to 2630 tournament players, of whom 1031 (39%) responded (986 men and 45 women). Of these, 541 (52%) perceived they experienced the yips compared with 490 (48%) who did not.Yips-affected golfers reported that the most troublesome putts were 3, 4 and 2 feet (0.9, 1.2 and 0.6 metres) from the hole. Fast, downhill, left-to-right breaking putts and tournament play also elicited the yips response. Golfers affected by the yips had a faster mean heart rate, increased electromyogram activity patterns and exerted more grip force than nonaffected golfers and had a poorer putting performance. Conclusions: For <10 handicap male golfers and <12 handicap female golfers, the prevalence of the yips is between 32.5% and 47.7%, a high proportion of serious golfers. This high prevalence suggests that medical practitioners need to understand the aetiology of the yips phenomenon so that interventions can be identified and tested for effectiveness in alleviating symptoms. Although previous investigators concluded that the yips is a neuromuscular impediment aggravated but not caused by anxiety, we believe the yips represents a continuum on which ‘choking’ (anxiety-related) and dystonia symptoms anchor the extremes. The aetiology may well be an interaction of psychoneuromuscular influences. Future research to test the effect of medications such as β-blockers should assist in better identifying the contributions these factors make to the yips phenomenon.

Effects of Home- and University-Based Programs on Physical Self-Perception in Mothers and Daughters

ABSTRACT The primary purpose of this study was to compare two mother-daughter interventions designed to increase fitness and activity and improve physical self-perception (PSP). A secondary purpose was to test two of the proposed mechanisms for using physical activity to enhance PSP. Twenty mother-daughter pairs (n = 40) were randomly assigned to a university-based (UB) or home-based (HB) group. Initially, both groups received classroom training designed to improve PSP. Then, the UB group met three times per week, whereas the HB group received information concerning home-based activities. The Fitnessgram® activity questionnaire and fitness test battery were used to measure physical activity and fitness level. The Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP) was used to detect changes in PSP. Separate 2 (group) × 2 (age) × 2 (time) ANOVAs with repeated measures on the last factor were conducted to examine changes in PSP, physical activity, and fitness. Correlations between physical activity, fitness, and PSP were examined to test the two mechanisms. Perceived sports competence and body attractiveness improved in UB and HB mothers and daughters (p = .002 and .005, respectively). UB and HB mothers and daughters increased their participation in aerobic (p = .000 and .015), muscular strength (p = .001 and .001), and flexibility (p = .000 and .000) activities. Support was not provided for the proposed mechanisms for the relationship between physical activity and PSP. These interventions demonstrate the potential to foster positive short-term changes in PSP and physical activity in mothers and daughters. More research is needed to test mechanisms explaining the relationship between activity and PSP.

The Effects of Frontal- and Sagittal-Plane Plyometrics on Change-of-Direction Speed and Power in Adolescent Female Basketball Players.

UNLABELLED Plyometrics is a popular training modality for basketball players to improve power and change-of-direction speed. Most plyometric training has used sagittal-plane exercises, but improvements in change-of-direction speed have been greater in multi-direction programs. PURPOSE To determine the benefits of a 6-wk frontal-plane plyometric (FPP) training program compared with a 6-wk sagittal-plane plyometric (SPP) training program with regard to power and change-of-direction speed. METHODS Fourteen female varsity high school basketball players participated in the study. Multiple 2 × 2 repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to determine differences for the FPP and SPP groups from preintervention to postintervention on 4 tests of power and 2 tests of change-of-direction speed. RESULTS There was a group main effect for time in all 6 tests. There was a significant group × time interaction effect in 3 of the 6 tests. The SPP improved performance of the countermovement vertical jump more than the FPP, whereas the FPP improved performance of the lateral hop (left) and lateral-shuffle test (left) more than the SPP. The standing long jump, lateral hop (right), and lateral-shuffle test (right) did not show a significant interaction effect. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that basketball players should incorporate plyometric training in all planes to improve power and change-of-direction speed.

Relationship between Achievement Goal Constructs and Physical Self-Perceptions in a Physical Activity Setting:

The relations of achievement goal theory constructs and physical self-perceptions were explored with 225 students (91 men, 109 women, and 25 nonindicators; M age = 23.5 yr., SD = 9.2), enrolled in basic physical activity classes (aerobics, weight training, modern dance, badminton, yoga, tai chi, basketball, racquetball, gymnastics, bowling, aquatone, and step aerobics) in a university setting. Goal orientations (Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire), perceptions of the motivational climate (Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2), and physical self-perceptions (Physical Self-perception Profile) were assessed. Data were analyzed separately by sex. Ego orientation was the only predictor of Physical Self-perceptions in men, accounting for between 12 and 15% of the variance in Physical Self-worth, Sport Competence, Physical Conditioning, and Body Attractiveness. Constructs of achievement goal theory were not predictive of Physical Self-perceptions in the women. The results are discussed in light of achievement goal theory and the nature of the sample.

Case studies of developing resilience in elite sport: Applying theory to guide interventions

ABSTRACT Resilience, or the ability to bounce back and subsequently flourish following adversity, is an area of research rapidly gaining attention in sport psychology. While recent resilience research in sport has investigated factors involved in the process of exhibiting individual and team resilience, practitioner-focused literature on “how to” utilize resilience research when consulting with athletes has yet to be explicated. The purpose of this article is to describe sport psychology consultant experiences developing resilience with elite athletes using theory. Based on the framework and case studies, suggestions are provided for facilitating resilience in athletes.

A Comparison of the Drop Step and Hip Turn Techniques for Basketball Defense

Change-of-direction speed (CODS) is an important quality to performance in multi-direction sports. The purpose of this study was to examine two methods used by basketball players to change directions when playing defense to see if one technique was faster than the other. Within basketball, there are two commonly taught methods of changing directions when playing defense: the drop step and the hip turn. Fourteen female college basketball players participated in this study. The study used a 2×2 (movement x direction) within-subjects repeated measures ANOVA to analyze the average differences between the time to change directions using a drop step compared to a hip turn. There was a significant difference between the two techniques in a novel test, with the hip turn faster than the drop step (F = 117.568, p < .0001). These results suggest that the hip turn compared to the drop step may be a quicker means of changing directions for female basketball players when playing defense.

An Investigation of Body Image in Athletes With Physical Disabilities

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to explore the body image of athletes with physical disabilities, and (b) to understand how sport influences body image among these athletes. We interviewed 20 male and female athletes (Mage = 34.25, SD = 8.49) from a variety of sports regarding their body image and the role of sport in influencing body image. A thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) was used to generate six themes: (a) personal significance of injury and disability, (b) noncentrality of the body and disability, (c) positive influence of sport on body esteem, (d) social factors influencing body-related emotions and perceptions, (e) body critiques and preferences, and (f) positive thoughts and emotions about the body. Sport seemed to be an important vehicle for experiencing body-related pride, and athletes expressed an intimate connection with the body parts that enabled them to physically compete.