Mindfulness and Acceptance in Sports

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Questions and Answers

What are the two main focuses of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) interventions, according to the text?

Developing acceptance of unwanted private experiences that are out of personal control, and commitment and action toward living a valued life.

What does mindfulness mean?

Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.

What is cognitive defusion and how does it help athletes?

Cognitive defusion involves observing uncomfortable thoughts without automatically taking them literally, detaching from them, and letting them come and go as if they were leaves floating down a stream. It can promote a modified relationship with inner experiences rather than altering them.

In ACT, how is psychological flexibility defined?

The ability to contact the present moment more fully as a conscious human being, and to change or persist in behavior when doing so serves valued ends. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how thoughts and emotions affect athletes' performance, and how the Sport Lifeline (SLL) helps in this context.

Aversive private events may lead to trying to avoid or control inner experiences, resulting in behavioral patterns that are the target of change. The SLL can help discriminate what role these private experiences play in decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

According to practitioners, how can coaches support athletes' mental wellbeing during training?

By being able to maintain a psychology focus in the daily training, by being able to act in situations when an athlete is uncomfortable, and from recognizing that even coaches are under pressure and expected to perform. Signup and view all the answers

Why are mindfulness and other mental skills so crucial for success at the Olympic Games?

There are a number of factors such as a new environment and heightened pressure that require mental strength and focus. Preparing for these circumstances ahead of time allows the athlete to respond to them effectively. Signup and view all the answers

How can mindfulness be used by one who is prone to perfection?

Mindfulness is about process and acceptance. It shifts the athlete's focus to what they can control and directs effort towards that. With mindfulness, the athlete is doing the best as they can with their current resources. Signup and view all the answers

According to Peter Haberl, what is beneficial about being at least a little bit afraid before a major competition like the Olympics?

Being afraid reminds people that it is especially easy and possible "for the thinking and feeling mind to get in the way of performance" and encourages preparation. Signup and view all the answers

Can mindfulness training be done only in a formal session?

No. Mindfulness training can be practiced informally or formally. Signup and view all the answers

According to a study described in section 1, what did athletes say after understanding the connection between their values and athletic performance?

Athletes often express relief when they understand the implications of this idea. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the processes that are often involved in the 'acceptance' in ACT.

Accepting difficult thoughts and emotions and giving it room, making room for unpleasant inner experiences, engaging in the present moment, and committing towards valued behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

How is mindfulness connected to performance?

It serves as an important tool to help athletes train the crucial ability to be present which consists of awareness, curiosity, openness and attention. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step of the 3R process and what is it used for?

Register and is used to register your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. Signup and view all the answers

How can the Sports Bulls Eye's be utilized within mental training?

As an opportunity to reinforce desired behaviors as they occur or an opportunity for the athlete to recognize when their actions are not in line by recording what is most important to them. Signup and view all the answers

At the high level, what were athletes like who remained 'true to results'?

Athletes who had remained true to their values, had a purpose beyond results and won medals. Signup and view all the answers

According to studies, what kind of things can you not change?

Not a specified program with a certain number of steps because it relies on a skilled practitioner making good decisions about what processes to target. Signup and view all the answers

In general, which are the best steps when trying to become a sport professional?

Try to take all actions consistent with values. Signup and view all the answers

Finish the following: 'When the potential medal winners were world-class athletes, of course, I expected to meet athletes that were. . . '?

Nervous, stressed and even anxious, after all, it was the day before the most important performance of their career. Signup and view all the answers

What can occur as a result of an athlete's mind always thinking positively and preventing negative emotions?

It had meant she would have had a better chance in the race and stayed true to what is important to her as a sailor. Signup and view all the answers

According to Mark W. Aoyagi and Jessica D. Bartley, what is meant by “doing what it takes to live by our values even if that brings up pain and discomfort”?

In ACT, there is always a reason to not behave in accordance with your values (e.g., psychological barriers), but athletes can consistently choose to commit to actions that align with their values despite these reasons. Signup and view all the answers

What does 3R stand for in the 3R process tool?

Register, Release, Redocus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main emphasis of third-wave cognitive behavioral approaches in sport psychology?

Third-wave cognitive behavioral approaches in sport psychology highlight that thought suppression and control techniques can trigger a metacognitive scanning process, and that excessive cognitive activity and task-irrelevant focus disrupt performance. Signup and view all the answers

What do sport psychology practitioners aim to increase in athletes, according to the perspective outlined in the text?

Sport psychology practitioners should work to increase athletes' willingness to accept negative thoughts and emotions in pursuit of valued ends. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key aspects of mindfulness and acceptance interventions?

Teaching athletes to open up and accept, teaching athletes to mindfully engage in the present moment, and helping athletes formulate the values and engage in committed actions towards these values. Signup and view all the answers

According to Peter Hansen, what is the key benefit for athletes who learn to make peace with their minds?

Athletes can engage fully in the sport they love. Signup and view all the answers

What key elements have been vital to Mark O. Madsen's path to excel?

Finding his core values as an athlete, but also as a human, and later in his career as a husband and a father. Signup and view all the answers

The book aims to provide practical guidance for implementing what type of approaches?

Mindfulness and acceptance approaches. Signup and view all the answers

According to Peter Haberl, what should 'six' be afraid of?

Seven, because seven ate (eight) nine, meaning be afraid of how easy it is for the thinking and feeling mind to get in the way of performance. Signup and view all the answers

According to Jakob Hansen, what is the immediate relief that athletes see when acceptance based approaches are used?

Not because the athletes' nervousness and doubt went away, but because they were given permission to feel the way they did. Signup and view all the answers

What does mindfulness entail according to Kabat-Zinn?

Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of elite athletes, what is the aim of ACT, and how is this achieved?

To help athletes make good decisions, be in the present moment, focus on the task, and be willing to experience the full range of emotions as natural, and take steps towards their values and game plan. Signup and view all the answers

Define 'cognitive defusion' and explain its role in promoting psychological flexibility.

Cognitive defusion is the ability to observe one's own uncomfortable thoughts without automatically taking them literally; to take a step back, detach from them and let them come and go as if they were leaves floating. Signup and view all the answers

What are values, according to the excerpt?

The identification of values that are personally important; what one wants to stand for in life. Signup and view all the answers

How is 'self as context' defined within ACT, and how can it impact an athlete's performance?

Refers to a perspective-taking sense of self and being in touch with a sense of ongoing awareness. A strong attachment to such concepts stands in the way of developing flexible responses that fit the current context. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key element in learning to direct attention and be present?

Mindfulness training. Signup and view all the answers

In this context, what is the definition of 'committed action'?

The commitment to actions that help bring us closer to our valued ends. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how the dilemma observed in elite sport mirrors the dilemma seen in modern life regarding self-development and happiness.

Although elite sport now has more financial and expertise support, athletes are struggling more with their mental health. Signup and view all the answers

What did Sylvia identify as her key values in advance of the Olympics?

Values related to competing (courage and wisdom), her relationships with the performance staff (being appreciative and responsible) and to her training group (being supportive, sharing knowledge and passing on skills). Signup and view all the answers

What were the athlete's responses when asked what tells you that you've prepared well?

"Yes, I have prepared well" and "yes, I did win the last tournament leading up to this event." Signup and view all the answers

Name the two mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches gaining momentum with sport psychology practitioners.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness Acceptance Commitment (MAC). Signup and view all the answers

What metacognitive process can thought suppression and control techniques trigger?

A metacognitive scanning process. Signup and view all the answers

Instead of managing internal life, what should sport psychology practitioners work to increase in athletes?

Athletes' willingness to accept negative thoughts and emotions in pursuit of valued ends. Signup and view all the answers

According to Peter Hansen, what do all athletes deserve to make?

Peace with their minds and just engage fully in the sport they love. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Mark O. Madsen, what is vital on the bumpy but challenging and meaningful road?

Learning to accept difficult feelings in difficult situations but still make brave decisions, move forward and stay true to myself. Signup and view all the answers

In sport psychology, what is the aim of acceptance and mindfulness based approaches?

To help elite athletes develop their mental game. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term “mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches" refer to?

A collective description of different behavioral therapy methods and programs that use mindfulness and acceptance as key components. Signup and view all the answers

What dilemma does the author say we are facing today?

Life has never been easier (at least in the privileged parts of the world), but mental illness is spreading like wildfire. Signup and view all the answers

What has mindfulness been defined as?

Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally. Signup and view all the answers

What does acceptance mean?

Opening up and making room for the full range of thoughts, feelings and sensations, that are a natural part of life and of a sport career. Signup and view all the answers

What did Gardner and Moore conclude in their work on the Mindfulness Acceptance Commitment (MAC) approach in sport psychology?

It is not the presence or absence of negative thoughts, physiological arousal, or emotions such as anxiety or anger that predicts performance outcomes, but the degree to which an individual performer can accept these experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What does the ACT trainer aim to help people engage in?

Actions that bring them closer to living a valued life, rather than just reduce unpleasant internal states. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of psychological flexibility in ACT therapies?

The ability to contact the present moment more fully as a conscious human being, and to change or persist in behavior when doing so serves valued ends. Signup and view all the answers

The text identifies six core processes of ACT. Name two of them.

Acceptance, Cognitive defusion, Being present, Self as context, Values, Committed Action. Signup and view all the answers

Dr. Peter Haberl normalizes Ali's experience to exemplify what in athletes?

The experience of unpleasant thoughts and emotions in a high-stakes competitive environment. Signup and view all the answers

According to Jakob Hansen, instead of building their confidence what did his questions do to the athletes?

Instead of me building their confidence; it was as if my questions just made them doubt themselves even more. Signup and view all the answers

What does Carsten Hvid Larsen suggest is something to be aware of when you help an athlete move through a sport?

That mental health as a core component of any culture of excellence. Signup and view all the answers

What is one underlying principle of behavioral intervention?

Analyzing the function of behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is one thing that distinguishes a values-driven path from an avoidance-driven path?

A values-driven path is a behavior class where athletic action and decision-making is based on the athlete's values and desired long-term consequences, while the avoidance-driven path is the opposite. Signup and view all the answers

What are values described as in the study?

A compass direction, providing the player a tool to better inform their decisions Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Acceptance

The active embracing of all human experiences without trying to fight or change them.

Cognitive defusion

The ability to observe uncomfortable thoughts without taking them as literal truths.