Graduation Year

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.S.

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Degree Granting Department

Child and Family Studies

Major Professor

Raymond G. Miltenberger, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Committee Member

Kimberly A. Crosland, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Committee Member

Jesse DePaolo, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Keywords

athletics, gradual exposure, lost movement syndrome, mental block, sports, thought training

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a gradual exposure and thought training treatment package to increase gymnasts’ successful completion of a performance block skill. Following baseline, the researchers implemented both a thought training procedure to alter participants’ negative thoughts into positive thoughts, and a gradual exposure procedure which included gymnastics drills that were small approximations to the performance block skill. A 2-point rating scale was used to indicate successful completion of the skills: 0= refusal, 1= the participant initiated the skill but failed to complete it successfully, 2= the participant initiated the skill and completed it successfully. Rating scale scores, latency, and Subjective Units of Discomfort Scale (SUDS) (Abramowitz et al., 2011) were measured during baseline, the gradual exposure and thought training package, and follow-up. The Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) (Smith et al., 2006) was used to measure anxiety levels of the gymnasts at baseline and follow-up. The results showed that all three participants completed their performance block skill successfully during the post-treatment and follow-up sessions.

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