Philipp B. Philippen

Self-report vs. kinematic screening test: prevalence, demographics, and sports biography of yips-affected golfers

Abstract The yips is considered a task-specific movement disorder. Its estimated prevalence, however, is high compared to similar neurological movement disorders, possibly resulting from previous studies’ restriction of samples based on skill level, and self-report bias. Alternatively, this high prevalence might be an indication of additional aetiologies, for example the influence of previously played racket sports. We estimated the prevalence of the putting yips across the skill range, using self-reports in one study and a screening test in a second study. We explored if previously played sports matter for the development of the yips. In study 1, yips prevalence (N = 1,306) and golfers’ sports biographies (n = 264) were examined via two online surveys, in which golfers indicated if they were yips-affected. In study 2, golfers (N = 186) putted in a standardised putting test while kinematic and performance measures were recorded. Prevalence was estimated via a kinematic threshold. Sports biographies (n = 119) were obtained via an online survey. Prevalence of currently yips-affected golfers was 22.4% in study 1 and 16.7% in study 2. In both studies, more yips-affected than unaffected golfers had experience in playing racket sports. Yips prevalence remained higher than previously estimated prevalence of other movement disorders but decreased when the whole skill range including professionals and novices was considered. Future studies should use the kinematic screening test instead of self-reports to detect the yips and further investigate the influence of previously played racket sports.

Sportpsychologie in den Niederlanden

Zusammenfassung. Die Sportpsychologie in den Niederlanden hat in den vergangenen 25 Jahren eine erfolgreiche Entwicklung erlebt. Bis circa 1985 war die Stellung der Sportpsychologie relativ marginal; seitdem kann jedoch die Rede von einer beachtlichen Verbesserung sein. Der Lehre und Forschung auf dem Gebiet der Sportpsychologie wird an verschiedenen Universitaten gegenwartig vermehrt Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt. Die Einstellung innerhalb der Sportwelt gegenuber der Sportpsychologie, wie beispielsweise der Unterstutzung der Sportler durch mentales Training, ist auf der ganzen Linie positiv. Das durch den Sport und die Medien geformte Bild der Sportpsychologie ist damit wohlwollender als einstmals. Vor grob drei Jahren wurde die Akkreditierungsregelung eingefuhrt, wodurch die Qualitat der Sportpsychologie gewahrt wird. Als direkte Folge dieser Regelung startete in 2007 die Ausbildung zum Angewandten Sportpsychologen, was die weitere Professionalisierung der Sportpsychologie markiert.