Effects of Psychological Interventions to Enhance Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Sport Psychology
• Performance Enhancement
• Evidence-Based Interventions

Background:

• Psychological interventions are widely used in sports to boost athlete performance.
• The actual impact of these interventions on athletic performance remains uncertain despite extensive research.
• A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to clarify these effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze the effects of diverse psychological interventions on competitive athlete performance.
• To synthesize findings from 111 eligible studies using a multi-level meta-analysis framework.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major scientific databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus).
• Studies with group designs and quantitative performance outcomes in regional to elite athletes were included.
• Risk of bias and intervention characteristics were assessed, followed by meta-analyses using robust statistical methods.

Main Results:

• Three meta-analyses indicated moderate positive effects for psychological skills training (g=0.83), mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches (g=0.67), and imagery (g=0.75).
• These significant effects were observed when compared to control groups.
• Sensitivity analyses removing non-randomized trials and subjective outcomes rendered the effects non-significant, questioning their robustness.

Conclusions:

• The initially observed moderate effects of psychological skills training, mindfulness, and imagery are not robust.
• Further high-quality research, particularly randomized controlled trials, is essential to validate the efficacy of these interventions.
• Improved reporting standards and open data sharing are recommended for future sport psychology research.