Impact of reinvestment and mindfulness on rowing performance

Sparks, Katherine Victoria (2022). Impact of reinvestment and mindfulness on rowing performance. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Athletes are consistently striving for successful performance, especially in high-stake situations such as competitions. At times athletes will succumb to pressure leading to poor performance. Understanding the underlying cause of such underperformance and how to prevent this from occurring comprise an important research area. This thesis explores the effect of rowing-specific reinvestment on competitive race performance and how mindfulness can prevent this process and thereby aid performance. The thesis comprises of four empirical studies. The first study developed and validated the rowing-specific reinvestment scale. This scale was then employed in the second study and showed that rowing-specific reinvestment was associated with poor race performance. Furthermore, mindfulness attenuated the negative effect of reinvestment on performance. The third study demonstrated that a rowing-specific brief mindful meditation activity increased rowing specific movement self-consciousness but had no effects on mindfulness or how rowers dealt with failures. In the last study, a rowing-specific mindfulness intervention was developed, which increased flow-state and performance in rowers compared to control. Overall, this thesis has furthered the understanding of reinvestment, through the development of a rowing-specific reinvestment scale and confirming an effect of mindfulness on reinvestment and performance. Finally, the research developed a sport-specific mindfulness intervention, and provided promising evidence for its benefits for athletes.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):