Abstract

In order to perform at the highest level, elite shooters have to remain focused during the whole course of a tournament, which regularly lasts multiple hours. Investing self-control over extended time periods is often associated with lower levels of perceived self-control strength (i.e., the subjective estimation of how much mental effort one is capable of investing in a given task) and impaired performance in several sports-related domains. However, previous findings on the effects of prior self-control efforts on shooting performance have been mixed, as elite shooters seem to be less affected by preceding self-control demanding tasks than sub-elite athletes. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of self-control on shooting performance in elite shooters. Hence, we randomly assigned elite shooters to an experimental (n = 12) or a control condition (n = 11) and asked them to perform a series of 40 shots at baseline (T1) and again after a task which either did or did not require self-control (T2). Additionally, we continuously measured the shooters’ level of perceived self-control strength. We assumed that in elite athletes, shooting accuracy as well as the perceived level of self-control strength would not be significantly affected over time from T1 to T2 in both conditions. In line with our assumptions, Bayesian linear mixed effect models revealed that shooting performance remained relatively stable in both conditions over time and the conditions also did not differ significantly in their perceived levels of self-control strength. Contrary to resource-based theories of self-control, these results speak against the idea of a limited self-control resource as previous acts of self-control did not impair subsequent shooting performance in elite athletes.

Highlights

  • In professional shooting, elite athletes must perform at their highest levels during the whole course of a competition in order to be successful (e.g., Di Fronso et al, 2016)

  • Investing high levels of self-control over extended periods of time can lead to lower levels of perceived self-control strength (e.g., Englert et al, 2020)

  • Athletes need to remain focused over several hours suggesting that perceived self-control strength seems to play a pivotal role for top-level performance (e.g., Di Fronso et al, 2016; Chen and Mordus, 2018)

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Summary

Introduction

Elite athletes must perform at their highest levels during the whole course of a competition in order to be successful (e.g., Di Fronso et al, 2016). Research has shown that tasks that necessitate sustained attention (e.g., archery) are usually accompanied by a steady decrement in performance (e.g., Milstein et al, 2005). This decrement can be observed in shooting (e.g., Tremayne and Barry, 2001; Kim et al, 2019). It is crucial to understand the underlying psychological processes that influence performance (e.g., Laaksonen et al, 2018)

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