The Effect Of Crossfit On Self-talk And Goal Setting In At-risk Youth: A Pilot Study.

Abstract

At-risk youth experience limited support, lack consistency, and depend on governmental programs and could benefit from structured programs. CrossFit participants are encouraged to discuss workout goals and strategies and are reminded about workout efficiency. PURPOSE: Examine the effects that CrossFit has on the use of self-talk and goal setting techniques. METHODS: Sixteen participants identified as at-risk (e.g. living in single-parent homes or in low-income environments) participated in a CrossFit program. Participants ranging from 11 to 14 years old completed 12 weeks of CrossFit for one hour, three days per week. Participants completed two Likert-type questionnaires (Goal Setting questionnaire and Self-talk questionnaire). Survey scores served as dependent variables. Paired samples t-tests were calculated to examine changes over time on both surveys. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 25.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY). Significance level was set a priori at 0.05. RESULTS: 16 participants (84%) completed both pre and post Goal Setting surveys, while 10 (52%) completed both pre and post Self-Talk questionnaire surveys. Significant differences were found between scores for total score (Mean Pre: 14.4 + 2.9, Mean Post: 17.9 + 2.5; t(1,15)= 3.13, p= 0.007); question 2, “Once I set a goal, I don’t give up until I achieve it” (Mean Pre: 1.4 + .13, Mean Post: 2.2 + .24; t(1,15)= 2.42, p= 0.029) and question 6 “When I set a goal, I think about what I need to do to achieve that goal” (Mean Pre: 2.9 + .23; Mean Post: 3.7 + .70; t(1,15)= 2.82, p= 0.013) with scores improving after the intervention. No significant differences were found for the Self-Talk questionnaire (n=10), total score (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that CrossFit for at-risk youth enhances goal setting skills. The introduction of CrossFit classes appears to create structure for goal setting as strategies/goals are discussed before workouts and accomplishments/results are recorded and reviewed. However, it does not appear that CrossFit increases self-talk which could be due to no formal instruction in the current format of CrossFit classes. Future investigations should include impacts of self-talk and goal setting with intentional training, a larger participant pool, and qualitative methods.