The effects of self-talk on gross motor and precision tasks in softball

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to further explore which form of self-talk (i.e., instructional or motivational) would enhance performance on precision and gross motor related tasks in the sport of softball. Additionally, the impact of negative self-talk on performance was explored. Eighty participants, forty males and forty female softball players (M = 34.04. SD = 10.16) were randomized into four self-talk groups: (1) instructional, (2) motivational, (3) negative, and (4) control group. Participants in the selftalk groups attended a self-talk training session, and generated their own self-talk statements. One week following the session, all participants completed the athletic tasks (i.e., throwing a ball for distance and throwing at a target) using their generated self-talk statements, and these tasks were repeated two additional times with at least one week between each session. Although the findings were not significant, positive and negative self-talk was found to impact performance. Akin to previous studies, positive self-talk led to enhanced performance in both gross motor and precision tasks, while negative self-talk led to poorer performance in gross motor tasks. It may be suggested that the use of motivational and instructional self-talk may be an important mental training technique that coaches and athletes could utilise when attempting to enhance athletic performance.