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Published on: January 22, 2018
Effects of a 4-week combined breathing control and self-talk intervention on neural activity and coping skills in
Kittichai Tharawadeepimuk1, Ekarat Onnom1, Ampika Nanbancha2
1College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University, Nakhonpathom, Thailand.
Background:
Effective coping skills are essential for athletes aiming to achieve peak performance. Breathing control and self-talk are recognized as commonly used psychological interventions to support coping. However, their combined effects on neurophysiological and psychological markers have not been examined.
Objective:
To evaluate the effects of a 4-week combined breathing control and self-talk intervention on electroencephalogram (EEG) activity and coping skills in elite national-level athletes.
Method:
Twenty-six athletes (11 swimmers and 15 gymnasts) were randomized to an experimental or control group. The intervention consisted of 16 sessions over four weeks (four days per week). Resting-state EEG and Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28) scores were collected pre- and post-intervention. EEG power spectral density (PSD) across frequency bands was analyzed using generalized linear mixed models, and ACSI-28 subscales were assessed using repeated measures ANOVA.
Result:
Significant group differences were found in theta (p < .001) and beta (p = .048) power. The experimental group showed increased theta power in the prefrontal area (p < .001) and decreased beta power in the frontal area (p = .003). Improvements were also observed in ACSI-28 subscales, including coping with adversity (p = .018), concentration (p = .027), confidence and achievement motivation (p = .039), goal setting/mental preparation (p = .009), and peaking under pressure (p = .043).
Conclusion:
This combined intervention of breathing control and self-talk was associated with changes in neurophysiological markers and psychological coping skills. EEG findings suggest potential changes in neural processes potentially related to anxiety regulation and attention. However, these should be interpreted as indirect neural correlates rather than direct markers of psychological states. Overall, these findings provide preliminary evidence that the combined intervention may represent a promising approach for supporting pre-competition psychological readiness in athletes.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05042518 (09/01/2021). Prospectively registered.
