| Athletes use mental skills training to control anxiety and enhance their performance. This study used a pre and posttest experimental design and the mental skills training program consist of positive self-talk, relaxation, goal setting, and mental imagery. League bowlers were randomly assigned to either a control or mental skills training group, and were further classified as novice or skilled. The mental skills training group received a packet of information and training on the use of the interventions. A unique and critical aspect of the study was the use of teams in providing the training. The primary analysis involved an evaluation of a mental skills training program on bowling performance. A secondary analysis evaluated skill ability, the mental skills training program, and bowling performance. ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U analyses were performed on net average change, as well as percent average change. The results showed a significant increase in bowling averages for the group receiving the mental skills training program for net average change (p = 0.0024), as well as percent average change ( p = 0.0062). The statistical analysis indicated bowlers in both skill classifications achieved greater performance gains when they received the mental skills training program. The ANOVA analysis for net average change resulted in p = 0.0246 for novice bowlers and p = 0.0186 for skilled bowlers. Furthermore, the net average change results suggested the mental skills training program was more effective for the novice or less skilled bowlers versus the highly skilled bowlers (p < 0.001). Similar results were observed for percent average change (p < 0.001). Although this study showed the effectiveness of a mental skills training program, further research needs to verify the results and extend the findings to other sports. |
