Effects of mental training practice in Alpine skiers through imagery and NLP techniques

Abstract

The pupose of the study is to determine the effects of applying mental training techniques in alpine skiers aged 12 ± 6 and19± 2. It is to determine whether by applying mental training techniques certain psychological factors able to influence performance optimization in alpine skiing can be modified. The experimental series comprised 20 skiers, from the clubs CSS Gheorgheni (HR), CSS Baia – Sprie (MM), and FEFS students. The control series comprising 20 skiers, from the clubs CSM Gheorgheni (HR), CSS Sibiu (SB), CS Corona Brasov (BV), CSS Sinaia (PH), CSS Petroșani (HD), CSS Toplița (HR), CS MiercureaCiuc (CV), Crazy – Byke (SB). Psychological tests for attention (MA- focused, AP2 – perceptual attention, AD – distributed),EMAS S – state of anxiety, PDE – emotional distress were used as data collection tools and The Jacobson S., Bandler R.&Thomson G tests were used. We used SPSS for statistical analysis. Findings reveal that by using mental training techniques through imagery and NLP techniques, we managed to improve performance on the level of visual, auditory and kinaesthetic acuity, as well as the level of perceptual attention (AP2). Findings show that the application of mental training techniques
leads to lower anxiety issues (EMAS) and emotional distress (PDE) in skiers’ behaviour. Performance in alpine skiers can be improved by increasing perceptual attention, following the stimulation of visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic channel in alpine skiers.
Keywords: Mental training, Alpine skiing, training, imagery, neuro-linguistic programming, sport performance.