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- Gustafsson, Henrik, et al.
(author)
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A qualitative analysis of burnout in elite Swedish athletes
- 2008
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In: Psychology of Sport And Exercise. - : Elsevier. - 1469-0292 .- 1878-5476. ; 9:6, s. 800-816
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To extend the understanding of burnout in elite athletes, including personal experiences and perceived antecedents.Design and Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 Swedish 22- to 26-year-old elite athletes who had quit sport due to burnout. The interview transcripts were inductively analyzed using qualitative conten tanalysis.Results: The findings support the notion of athlete burnout as a multidimensional syndrome. While stressors like multiple demands, ‘‘too much sport,’’ lack of recovery and high expectations were considered primary causes of burnout by the respondents, high motivation, unidimensional athletic identity, self-esteem strivings, high ego goals, negative perfectionist traits and feelings of entrapment were also found to be critical contributors. These restraining factors explained why the athletes continued their participation in sport despite a progressive worsening of their condition, and are therefore potentially crucial in the development of burnout.Conclusion: Athlete burnout appears to be a complex interaction of multiple stressors, inadequate recovery and frustration from unfulfilled expectations, which is explained partly by maladaptive perfectionist traits and goals. This process is fuelled by a strong drive to validate self-worth, sometimes in conjunction with feelings of entrapment.
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| 2. |
- Johansson, Mattias, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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Acute effects of qigong exercise on mood and anxiety
- 2008
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In: International Journal of Stress Management. - : American Psychological Association (APA). - 1072-5245 .- 1573-3424. ; 15:2, s. 199-207
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Psychosocial stress may lead to increased rates of anxiety and depression. Aerobic exercise and mind-body therapies are frequently described as having positive effects on psychological well-being by enhancing mood and reducing anxiety. Few studies, however, have investigated the acute psychological effects of qigong exercise. Fifty-nine regular qigong exercisers (mean age 50.8 years) were randomized to a Qigong or Control group. Pre- and postmeasurements were then compared. POMS-Depression, Anger, and Fatigue, and STAI-State Anxiety scores decreased significantly in the Qigong group but not in the Control group. Results thereby suggest that qigong exercise can produce desirable psychological effects, and Qigong exercise may therefore be included among other activities performed to boost resistance to daily stressors.
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| 3. |
- Johansson, Mattias, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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Acute Psychological Responses to Qigong Exercise of Varying Durations
- 2008
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In: THE American journal of Chinese medicine. - Singapore : World Scientific Publishing Company. - 0192-415X. ; 36:3, s. 449-458
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Qigong exercise has been shown to induce acute psychological changes of a positive nature; but whether longer durations have greater effects than shorter ones is not known. Forty-one regular qigong practitioners therefore engaged in either 30 or 60 min of qigong exercise within a randomized cross-over design. Measures of mood, anxiety, activation, and hedonic tone were obtained pre- and post-exercise. Results showed benefits of the same magnitude in the two conditions: more positive mood states, reduced state anxiety, and enhanced perceived pleasure. Thirty minutes of qigong exercise thereby seems to be sufficient to provide psychological benefits, and with no additional benefits detected after 60 min. This finding is important for those having little time or motivation to engage in activities of longer durations. In addition, health professionals prescribing exercise for health benefits can prescribe shorter exercise sessions with confidence knowing that positive psychological effects can also occur after a shorter exercise bout.
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| 4. |
- Jouper, John, 1960-, et al.
(author)
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Qigong exercise with concentration predicts increased health
- 2006
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In: THE American journal of Chinese medicine. - 0192-415X. ; 34:6, s. 949-957
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Regular physical activity has many positive health effects. Despite this, approximately 50% of all adults are not exercising enough to enjoy better health and may therefore need an alternative to vigorous physical exercise. Qigong offers a gentle way to exercise the body. A questionnaire sample of 253 participants was collected and correlations with the variable Health-now were analyzed. Results showed that Health-now was positively correlated with Number of completed qigong courses (p<.05), with Level of concentration (p<.01), Session-time (p<.01), and Years of practice (p<.05). Among these variables, Concentration predicts an increased feeling of Health (R2 = 0.092). Qigong exercise thereby seems to offer a viable alternative to other more vigorous physical activities when wellness is the primary goal. When interpreted using self-determination theory, qigong seems to satisfy needs related to autonomy, competence and relatedness, thereby primarily attracting individuals who are intrinsically motivated.
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