SINGLE-SUBJECT EVALUATION OF A SELF-TALK PACKAGE FOR IMPROVING FIGURESKATING PERFORMANCE

A self-talk package was used to improve performance of compulsory figu res by prenovice- and novice-level figure skaters. The study included ongoing objective behavioral assessment across practices of the figure skating performance as well as the extent to which the skaters actual ly utilized the self-talk. A multi-element design with multiple baseli ne replications across 4 participants demonstrated that improvements w ere due to the treatment. Self-report follow-up at 1 year indicated th at the participants continued to utilize the self-talk during practice s and that they believed that it enhanced their test and/or competitiv e performance. The results support the view that planned self-talk can aid skill acquisition. Results are conceptualized in terms of rule-go verned control over behavior, which may provide a useful framework for enabling sport psychologists to increase the efficacy of self-talk in terventions.