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| Name | Class |
|---|---|
| Pamukkale University | OTHER |
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This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of a 10-week imagery and breathing exercise intervention on 200-meter freestyle swimming performance, mental toughness, and heart-mind coherence in swimmers. Nineteen licensed swimmers aged 13-18 years were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=9) receiving imagery and breathing exercises or a control group (n=10) receiving only standard physical training. Outcomes were measured using the 200-meter freestyle swimming time, the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), and heart-mind coherence via the Inner Balance HeartMath device. The intervention significantly improved mental toughness and swimming performance in the experimental group compared to the control group, with a trend toward improved heart-mind coherence.
The study was conducted at the facilities of Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mensupları Spor Kulübü Yüzme Takımı in Denizli, Türkiye. Participants underwent a pre-test/post-test design with the following measures: 200-meter freestyle swimming performance, mental toughness (assessed via the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire), and heart-mind coherence (measured using the Inner Balance HeartMath device for real-time biofeedback of heart rate variability [HRV]). The experimental group participated in a 10-week intervention involving daily imagery and breathing exercises performed before bedtime, following a structured protocol (4-second inhale through the nose, 4-second exhale through the mouth, while imagining a 200-meter swim with detailed visualization). The intervention included a 6-day training period on techniques, followed by 10 weeks of daily practice, with reminders and feedback provided via a WhatsApp group. The control group continued standard physical training without additional mental training. Data were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA, with post-hoc Bonferroni tests, and a significance level of p<0.05.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imagery and Breathing Exercises | Experimental | Participants received a 10-week intervention of imagery and breathing exercises in addition to standard physical training. |
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| Standard of care | No Intervention | Participants received only standard physical training without additional mental training. |
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imagery and Breathing Exercises | Behavioral | Participants performed daily imagery and breathing exercises before bedtime for 10 weeks. The protocol involved a 4-second inhale through the nose and a 4-second exhale through the mouth while visualizing a 200-meter freestyle swim with detailed attention to technique and performance. A 6-day training period was provided to teach the techniques, and participants received daily reminders and feedback via a WhatsApp group. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| 200-Meter Freestyle Swimming Performance | time to complete a 200-meter freestyle swim, measured in seconds. | Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test). |
| Mental Toughness | Assessed using the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), with scores indicating levels of mental toughness. The Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) is a 14-item scale measuring mental toughness across the subdomains of confidence, constancy, and control, with scores ranging from 14 to 56. Higher scores indicate greater mental toughness, reflecting a more positive psychological profile in athletes. | Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test). |
| Heart-Mind Coherence | Measured using the Inner Balance HeartMath device to assess heart rate variability (HRV) | Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test). |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Coherence Values | Maximum coherence levels achieved during measurement sessions, assessed via the Inner Balance HeartMath device. | Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test). |
| Balance Performance |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University | Ankara | Turkey (Türkiye) |
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Randomized controlled trial, parallel-group, pre-test post-test design.
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None (Open Label) (The manuscript does not mention blinding; assumed as open-label since participants and researchers likely knew the group assignments due to the nature of the intervention.)
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Assessed as part of the study hypothesis, though specific measurement tools are not detailed in the manuscript.
| Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test). |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001945 | Breathing Exercises |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D026441 | Mind-Body Therapies |
| D000529 | Complementary Therapies |
| D013812 | Therapeutics |
| D026241 | Exercise Movement Techniques |
| D026741 | Physical Therapy Modalities |
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