Reducing Competitive Anxiety Cheerleader Psychology
Sports Injury, Stress Reaction, Performance Anxiety
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Sports Injury focused on measuring cheerleading, stress management, injury prevention, psychosocial factors, stress-injury, performance, coping skills, stress inoculation technique, competitive anxiety, psychological intervention
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Participants must be active members of Western University's coed cheerleading team for the 2019 competitive season (August-November 2019)
- Participants must be on Western University's coed cheerleading team during the 2019 PCA College National Championships
- Participants must have no experience with psychological stress-management interventions aimed at reducing competitive sport anxiety, in particular, no previous experience with Stress Inoculation Technique therapy.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Not being an active member of Western University's coed cheerleading team for the beginning of the 2019 competitive season (September 2019), whether due to injury or absence from the team.
- Not being an active member of Western University's coed cheerleading team during the 2019 PCA College National Championships
- Previous experience with psychological stress-management interventions aimed at reducing competitive sport anxiety in a cheerleading context, in particular, previous experience with Stress Inoculation Technique therapy.
Sites / Locations
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Psychological Intervention
Health Intervention
Six session intervention, each session 20-25 minutes in length. Stress inoculation technique-based intervention. Participants will be taught stress coping skills and relaxation skills such as self-efficacy statements, imagery, relaxation breathing, relaxation scripts, thought stoppage, cognitive reframing, positive self-talk, goal setting, event planning, and preparing for competition
Six session intervention, each session 20-25 minutes in length. Participants will be taught relevant health and nutrition guidelines and practice using a food diary app (MyFitnessPal). Nutrition and health content will include such topics as reading Canadian food labels, vitamins and supplements, effects of alcohol on performance and recovery, vegetarian vs. omnivore diets, and hydration & performance.