TY - JOUR
T1 - The effectiveness of stress regulation interventions with athletes
T2 - a systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
AU - Murdoch, Elizabeth
AU - Lines, Robin L. J.
AU - Crane, Monique
AU - Ntoumanis, Nikos
AU - Brade, Carly
AU - Quested, Eleanor
AU - Ayers, Joanne
AU - Gucciardi, Daniel F.
PY - 2021/9/28
Y1 - 2021/9/28
N2 - We conducted a pre-registered systematic review of seven databases and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials with athletes to examine the effectiveness of stress regulation interventions on performance outcomes, and the conditions under which their effects are strongest. We found a positive and significant moderate overall effect of stress regulation interventions on performance outcomes (65 effects, k = 21, N = 2022, g = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.19, 0.84) and a significant large effect on physiological outcomes (28 effects, k = 10, N = 368, g = 2.13, se = 0.81, 95% CI =.47, 3.79), yet the effect on psychological dimensions was statistically inconsequential (28 effects, k = 10, N = 787, g = 0.35, 95% CI = −0.12, 0.81). Sensitivity and meta-bias analyses generally supported the robustness of the pooled effect of stress regulation interventions on athlete performance, yet the prediction intervals suggested some interventions may be inefficacious or detrimental for athlete performance. The strongest effects on performance were observed at follow-up when compared with post-test. Collectively, our findings offer a high-quality assessment on the effectiveness of stress regulation interventions for athlete performance and provide direction for future research in terms of conceptual and methodological issues.
AB - We conducted a pre-registered systematic review of seven databases and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials with athletes to examine the effectiveness of stress regulation interventions on performance outcomes, and the conditions under which their effects are strongest. We found a positive and significant moderate overall effect of stress regulation interventions on performance outcomes (65 effects, k = 21, N = 2022, g = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.19, 0.84) and a significant large effect on physiological outcomes (28 effects, k = 10, N = 368, g = 2.13, se = 0.81, 95% CI =.47, 3.79), yet the effect on psychological dimensions was statistically inconsequential (28 effects, k = 10, N = 787, g = 0.35, 95% CI = −0.12, 0.81). Sensitivity and meta-bias analyses generally supported the robustness of the pooled effect of stress regulation interventions on athlete performance, yet the prediction intervals suggested some interventions may be inefficacious or detrimental for athlete performance. The strongest effects on performance were observed at follow-up when compared with post-test. Collectively, our findings offer a high-quality assessment on the effectiveness of stress regulation interventions for athlete performance and provide direction for future research in terms of conceptual and methodological issues.
KW - behaviour change techniques
KW - biofeedback
KW - cognitive-behavioural
KW - mindfulness
KW - relaxation
KW - three-level meta-analysis
KW - cognitive–behavioural
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85115847891&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/1750984X.2021.1977974
DO - 10.1080/1750984X.2021.1977974
M3 - Review article
SN - 1750-984X
JO - International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology
JF - International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology
ER -