Effects of cognitive strategies on the performance of athletes

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to study the effects of various cognitive strategies on the treadmill running performance of intercollegiate wrestlers (N=12), The independent variables were the four cognitive strategies presented to each S. The dependent variables were the length of time each S would perform at constant effort and intermittent heart rates during performance. Three independent replications of a 4 X 4 latin square were utilized. An analysis of variance revealed no significant difference in performance or heart rate between the four treatments {p> .05)* The Ss for both performance and heart rate scores revealed a significant F ratio (p<*05). Eleven Ss ran their best under a directed situation (either voluntary distraction, Imagery manipulation, or task specific). One S ran his best under the unaided condition. On a postexperiment questionnaire, Ss displayed a lack of awareness of the condition which maximized their performance.