This study intends to compare the effects of visualization technique with combined stretching protocol on racquet sports players to find out how these protocols affect their performance and mindfulness.
In this study, two groups will be formed to find out the effects of visualization technique, i.e., mental imagery versus the combined stretching protocol, on racquet sports players over a course of 6 weeks. One group is given the mental imagery protocol, and the other group is given the combined stretching protocol, and at the end of the 1st, 3rd, and 6th weeks, readings are taken to compare the effects of these techniques on the mindfulness (awareness) and performance of the subjects enrolled in this study. A total of 52 participants will be involved, and the groups will be divided into 26, 26 each. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 21.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
52
In GROUP A, i.e., visualization technique Athletes will be shown a video of stretching protocols and then will be asked to visualize those exercises, the total session time will be approximately 20 minutes which will be divided into three phases: pre-Session visualization (5-10 minutes) which will begin with 1-2 minutes of deep breathing and mental preparation to start visualization technique then players will be asked to visualize dynamic stretching (leg swings, arm circles, and lunges) and static stretching (hamstring and shoulder stretch) for 2-3 minutes each. Then begins the during session visualization phase (1-2 minutes per stretch) the players will be asked to pause before each stretch to visualize the movements, muscle engagement and the feeling of stretch and the transit between the stretches and then last comes the post session phase of visualization (5 minutes) this will involve visualization of cool down exercises like spinal twist, bicep stretch, triceps and hip stretch.
GROUP B will receive Combined stretching training protocol. The overall duration will be 20 minutes starting from warm up (5-7 minutes) which will include light jogging arm swings, leg swings and lunges, hamstring and shoulder stretches then followed by combined stretching movements (8-10 minutes) this will include hip flexor and hamstring combo, calf and Achilles stretch and spinal twist and arm extension movements and ending with a cool down protocol (5-7 minutes) which will include hip flexor stretch, quadriceps stretch and calf stretch, bicep and triceps stretch.
Pakistan Sports Board
Islamabad, Punjab Province, Pakistan
Mindfulness and Performance
This will assess the player's ability to stay focused and present in a moment during play and their performance, i.e., their ability to make decisions and their precision and accuracy in gameplay.
Time frame: 6 weeks approximately after the study starts
Combined Stretching Protocol
the participants will be asked to perform combined stretching protocol which will include warm-up, the protocol and then the cool-down exercises. This protocol will take 20 minutes. After performance readings will be taken in the 1st, 3rd and 6th weeks and data will be compared to find out which method is more effective to improve mindfulness and performance in racquet sports players.
Time frame: 6 weeks approximately after the study starts
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