Dr.Hab., Professor S.E. Bakulev¹
Dr. Hab., Professor V.A. Tajmazov¹
Dr. Hab., Professor S.M. Ashkinazi¹
PhD V.S. Kulikov¹
PhD, Associate Professor D.S. Melnikov^1
1Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sports and Health, Saint-Petersburg, Russia 

Keywords: curling sport, mental fitness, mental conditioning techniques, rhythmic-suggestive correction model, Key Decisions Therapy model, autonomic activity ratio.

Background. Modern curling sport is unique among other team sports in the sense that every stone shooting action and competitive success on the whole highly depends on every team member’s skills and fitness and quality of the teamwork on the whole with its mutual trust, understanding and support [2]. As things now stand, however, the sport community still reports the need for special research to develop efficient mental conditioning methods, models and tools.

Objective of the study was to test benefits of two new mental conditioning models for the curling sport elite.

Methods and structure of the study. The study was run under the Modern Training Systems for Olympic Sports (with Curling Case Study) Research Project approved by the Ministry of Sports Order No. 1034 of 12.14.2018 "On approving a thematic plan for special research in the physical education and sports sector to set missions for the research organizations and higher educational institutions reporting to the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation for 2019-2021".

We sampled for the first mental conditioning model testing Experiment 1 (run in autumn of 2019) the 18-21 year old elite (qualified CMS and MS) curlers (n=12) and used pre-experimental self-confidence/ self-esteem tests to split up the sample into Experimental and Reference Groups (EG, RG), with the EG composed of the athletes tested with lower self-confidence. The EG was trained using the "Correction" Mental Conditioning Module of the "Module Compact" Training System designed by the Instrumental Psychological Systems Ltd. [3]. The EG was trained for 14 days to test benefits of the new rhythmic-suggestive correction model – for the first time in application to elite curlers; whilst the RG mental conditioning service was traditional, with every athlete offered four individual 45-minute consulting sessions with a sport psychologist for 2 weeks.

Experiment 2 was designed to test benefits of the Mental Diagnostics and Conditioning Model by M. K. Efanova (patent RU 2 645 406 C1 dated 02.21.2018). We sampled for Experiment 2 the 19-36 year old elite (qualified CMS and MS) curlers (n=14). The Key Decisions Therapy mental conditioning session was run only once on an individual basis, with the experiment timed to the  preparatory period of the annual training cycle (July-August 2019); with the sample progress rated by the standard WAM tests and autonomic activity rating Luscher test adapted by K. Shiposha [4].

Results and discussion. The pre- versus post-experimental self-confidence test data of the EG and RG yielded by the rhythmic-suggestive correction model testing Experiment 1 are given in Table 1 hereunder.

Table 1. Pre- versus post-experimental self-confidence test data of the sample (n=12): rhythmic-suggestive correction model testing Experiment 1, points

As demonstrated by the above Table, the post-experimental self-esteem/ self-confidence test rates were virtually the same in both of the groups. Both mental conditioning methods, as far as the average values are concerned, were tested beneficial and may be recommended for practical application. Note that the EG was pre-tested with 10% lower self-esteem on average than the RG: thus in RG three athletes were ranked with the highest self-confidence and decision-making category versus only one in the EG. The post-experimental tests of the RG found no variation in the top-three self-confidence rates, whilst every EG individual was tested with good progress, with 4 athletes ranked with the high-self-esteem category.

Experiment 1 was finalized by a qualifying competition for places in the youth national team of the Russian Federation. Both groups joined the tournament to compete with the non-sampled peer teams; and the tournament was won by the EG members. This competitive success gives us good grounds to believe that the new rhythmic-suggestive correction model is highly beneficial for application in the precompetitive training systems of the curling sport elite.

Experiment 2 was run to test benefits of the new Key Decisions Therapy model [1] for elite curlers: see the test data hereunder on Figures 1 and 2. The Key Decisions Therapy model was used in the general physical fitness period of an annual training cycle with high-intensity cyclic workloads unspecific for competitive curling sport – and, hence, exposing the athletes to potential risks of functional disorders and distresses. Nevertheless, the test data were indicative of a high positive impact of the single Key Decisions Therapy session.

Figure 1. Pre-versus post-experimental WAM test data of the sample (n=14): Key Decisions Therapy model timed to preparatory physical fitness period in the annual training cycle

Note that Key Decisions Therapy model tests found no mental conditioning regress in the sample, with a special progress tested on the Mood scale – that is rather unusual for the draining monotonous high-intensity training period in the annual training cycle. Despite the high sport-unspecific physical trainings, the sample was tested immune to usual pre-pathological conditions due to the Key Decisions Therapy model. The elite sample was tested with a notable growth of the sympathetic tone in the autonomic nervous system and, hence, better fitness for high energy costs. At the same time, the relatively moderate autonomic activity ratios may be interpreted as indicative of an optimal mobilization levels and reasonably balanced/ healthy competitive fitness different from an unhealthy prestart fever. These findings demonstrate benefits of the Key Decisions Therapy model for the precompetitive mental conditioning service to curling sport elite.

Figure 2. Pre-versus post-experimental autonomic activity ratios of the sample (n=14): Key Decisions Therapy session timed to the preparatory physical fitness period of the annual training cycle

Conclusion. Both mental conditioning models were tested fairly beneficial for application in the curling sport elite trainings. The Rhythmic-Suggestive Correction model was tested to improve the group self-esteem test rates by 18.7% in the EG versus 7.3% in the RG. And the Key Decisions Therapy mental conditioning model was tested to improve the wellbeing, activity and mood self-rates of the EG even in the period of the high-intensity physical sport-unspecific trainings, with the autonomic activity ratios found indicative of good fitness for high competitive energy costs.  

References

1. Efanova M.K. Method of psychological diagnostics and improvement of functional state. Patent RU 2 645 406 S1 ot 12.07.2017 (https://yandex.ru/patents/doc/RU2645406C1_20180221) [cit. 27.04.2020].
2. Zadvornov K.Yu., Melnikov D.S., Badilin A.O. Theory and methodology of chosen sport (curling). Study guide. Lesgaft NSU, St. Petersburg, 2015. 90 p.
3. Ivanov A.V. Formation of effective mechanisms of volitional and emotional regulation using PPCDS "Module Compact". Comprehensive support for training of elite athletes. Final collection of national research-practical conference with international participation. Moscow: FNTs VNIIFK publ., 2013. pp. 164-167.
4. Melnikov D.S. Physiological characteristics of competitive curling. PhD diss. Abstract. St. Petersburg, 1998. 23 p.

Corresponding author: d.s.mel@mail.ru

Abstract

Objective of the study was to test benefits of two new mental conditioning models for the curling sport elite.

Methods and structure of the study. The authors sampled for the first mental conditioning model testing Experiment 1 (run in autumn of 2019) the 18-21 year old elite (qualified CMS and MS) curlers (n=12) and used pre-experimental self-confidence/ self-esteem tests to split up the sample into Experimental and Reference Groups (EG, RG), with the EG composed of the athletes tested with lower self-confidence. The EG was trained using the "Correction" Mental Conditioning Module of the "Module Compact" Training System designed by the Instrumental Psychological Systems Ltd.. The EG was trained for 14 days to test benefits of the new rhythmic-suggestive correction model – for the first time in application to elite curlers; whilst the RG mental conditioning service was traditional, with every athlete offered four individual 45-minute consulting sessions with a sport psychologist for 2 weeks.

Results and conclusions. Both mental conditioning models were tested fairly beneficial for application in the curling sport elite trainings. The Rhythmic-Suggestive Correction model was tested to improve the group self-esteem test rates by 18.7% in the EG versus 7.3% in the RG. And the Key Decisions Therapy mental conditioning model was tested to improve the wellbeing, activity and mood self-rates of the EG even in the period of the high-intensity physical sport-unspecific trainings, with the autonomic activity ratios found indicative of good fitness for high competitive energy costs.