THE EFFECTS OF A GOAL-SETTING PACKAGE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SPEED SKATERS

The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of a goal-set ting package on objective and subjective measures of speed skating per formance. Participants were four female skaters ranging in age from 12 -17 years. A single-subject design, the multiple baseline across indiv iduals, was used to evaluate the intervention package. One participant remained at baseline for the duration of the study to control for tra ining effects. The results provide support for utilizing a goal-settin g package in an athletic setting. During practices, laps and drills co mpleted increased, while off-task behaviors decreased. Racing times ob tained in practice and competitions improved for all three experimenta l participants. A social validity assessment provided further support for the effectiveness of the intervention.