The Benefits of a Challenge Approach on Match Day: Investigating Cardiovascular Reactivity in Professional Academy Soccer Players

Dixon, Joseph, Jones, Marc and TURNER, Martin (2019) The Benefits of a Challenge Approach on Match Day: Investigating Cardiovascular Reactivity in Professional Academy Soccer Players. European Journal of Sport Science. ISSN 1746-1391

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Abstract or description

This study assessed physiological (cardiovascular) and psychological (confidence, control, and approach focus) data in professional academy soccer players prior to performance in competitive matches. A challenge state is characterised by an increase in cardiac output (CO), and a decrease in total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR). Data were collected from 37 participants, with 19 of these providing data on two separate occasions. Performance was measured using coach and player self-ratings. Challenge reactivity was positively, and significantly, associated with performance. Participants who demonstrated blunted cardiovascular (CV) responses performed significantly worse than participants who displayed either challenge or threat reactivity. There was mixed consistency in CV reactivity for those participants whose data were collected on more than one occasion, suggesting that some participants responded differently across the competitive matches. The association between self-report data and CV responses was weak. This study supports previous research demonstrating that challenge reactivity is associated with superior performance.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty:	School of Life Sciences and Education > Sport and Exercise
Depositing User:	Martin TURNER
Date Deposited:	06 Jun 2019 10:43
Last Modified:	24 Feb 2023 13:56
URI:	https://eprints.staffs.ac.uk/id/eprint/5669

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