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Table 2 Measures, Cronbach alpha values and example items

From: Differential and shared effects of psychological skills training and mindfulness training on performance-relevant psychological factors in sport: a randomized controlled trial

Concept

Measurement

Subscale(s)

α

Example item

Mindfulness

FFMQ-SFa)

Acting with awareness

.50

I find it difficult to stay focused on what’s happening in the present moment (reversed).

Nonjudging of inner experience

.73

I tell myself I shouldn’t be feeling the way I’m feeling (reversed).

Nonreactivity to inner experience

76

I watch my feelings without getting carried away by them.

Use of psychological skills

TOPSa)

Self-talk

.87

I say things to myself to help my competitive performance.

Imagery

.79

During practice, I visualize successful past performances.

Goal setting

.86

I have very specific goals for training.

Activation

.81

I can raise my energy level at competitions when necessary.

Relaxation

.87

When the pressure is on at competitions, I know how to relax.

Techniques to handle emotions

.65

In competition, I use techniques to control my emotions.

Techniques to regulate attention

.72

In training, I use techniques to control my attention.

Emotion regulation

TOPSa)

Emotional control

.83

My emotions keep me from performing my best at competitions (reversed)

Experiential avoidance

AAQ-IIb)

.79

I’m afraid of my feelings.

Emotional competencies

SEC-27a)

Acceptance of emotions

.64

I am able to stand by my feelings.

Attention regulation

TOPSa)

Attention control

.83

I am able to control distracting thoughts when training.

Cognitive interference

TOQSb)

Thoughts of escape

.90

During competition, I have thoughts that I want to get out of here.

Situation-irrelevant thoughts

.85

During competition, I have thoughts about what I’m going to do later in the day.

Performance worries

.77

During competition, I have thoughts that I’m having a bad day.

TOPSa)

Negative cognitions

.87

My self-talk during competition is negative.

Decentering

EQa)

Distanced perspective

.77

I can separate myself from my thoughts and feelings.

Dealing with failures

ASOAF6b)

Action orientation

.63

If I get little playtime to prove myself, and something goes wrong, I try to do better in the next action.

If I fail in an important situation in a (championship) match, I quickly forget about it and concentrate on the next chance.

If everything goes wrong in one day, then I continue to play as determinedly as if it hadn’t happened.

  

State orientation

.83

If I fail in an important situation in a (championship) game, then it goes through my mind repeatedly in the further course of the game.

If the coach criticizes my behavior, then it keeps me busy even during the game.

If I fail several in actions one after the other in a (championship) game, then my thoughts circle around these failed actions for a long time.

  1. Note. FFMQ-SF Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire short form, TOPS Test of Performance Strategies, AAQ-II Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, SEC-27 Self-assessment of Emotional Competencies, TOQS Thought Occurrence Questionnaire for Sport, EQ Experience Questionnaire, ASOAF6 Action and State Orientation after Failure
  2. a) = 5-point Likert scale, b) = 7-point Likert scale