The effect of biofeedback on tennis service accuracy

Abstract

This paper presents a study which seeks to extend the ‘Five-step approach to mental training incorporating biofeedback (BFB)’ later renamed the ‘Wingate five-step approach for mental training incorporating BFB’. In particular, this study investigated the effectiveness of BFB training, through each of the five phases, on the accuracy of tennis serving. The participants were six male junior national elite tennis athletes. The results showed that the biofeedback training was effective in improving tennis serve accuracy. Social validation results indicated that the participants' mental skills adherence was improved and that the athletes were content with their serving accuracy results. Manipulation checks, throughout the five phases, gave some insight into the inner workings of the Wingate five-step approach to mental training. These findings extend the Wingate five-step model. Practical implications are that phase 2 needs to be considered with caution and that there appears to be a positive stabilization of performance after the cessation of the Wingate five-step protocol.