RUN TIME AND PERCEIVED PERFORMANCE INFLUENCED BY EXTERNAL FEEDBACK IN ENDURANCE ATHLETES

Allison Jancik, Joua Vang, Laura Kiekhoefer, Sarah Lose. Journal of Undergraduate Kinesiology Research 2012; 8(1):9-15. Purpose: Research on the impact of frequency of encouragement for run training has never been explored. To give insight into coaching methods for practices and competitions, knowing how much to encourage athletes is important. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into which amount of encouragement provides the most influence on running performance during training sessions for endurance runners. Methods: Twenty-three participants (8 males, 15 females) aged 18-27 years (20.3 ± 1.8) performed three, two-mile run on an indoor track, separated by a rest period of at least one full day. The three conditions were: no verbal encouragement, minimal verbal encouragement (every 400 m), or maximal verbal encouragement (every 50 m). Results: Maximal encouragement resulted in faster run time (16.39 ± 2.0) than no encouragement (16.87 ± 2.4) (p < .05). Perceived performance (Subjective Exercise Experience Scale, Rating of Perceived Exertion, open-ended survey) was not significantly affected by the frequency of feedback given. Results for the minimal encouragement trial as compared to the other conditions were not significant. Conclusion: This study indicates that with higher frequencies of encouragement running performance may improve.

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