Qualitative examination of flow experience among top Japanese athletes

The purpose of the present study was two-fold, (1) to examine the psychological elements of flow state experienced by top athletes during competition and (2) to explore the psychological states leading to flow experience. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 29 Japanese athletes regarding experiences in which they felt they were able to display 100% of their abilities and which they fully enjoyed. Interview contents were classified by the main investigator and independently by an external examiner. Analysis indicated that 92.6% of elements agreed with Csikszentmihalyi's model of flow. Three categories in Jackson's nomenclature (1996), unambiguous feedback, concentration on the task at hand, and autotelic experience, reported at a higher rate in the present study, may be the basic characteristics of flow state. The psychological states leading up to flow state were placed into six categories: relaxed, self-confident, highly motivated, completely focused, lack of negative thoughts and feelings, and extremely positive. Relaxed, self-confident, and highly motivated were reported by most of the athletes, suggesting they are primary elements for an optimal experience.