Optimisation of stress regulation through yoga as a complementary mental preparation method for top tennis players: A case study focused on performance and mental well-being
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Abstract
The presented paper investigates the impact of a one-year yoga intervention on stress regulation among top tennis players. The participants in this study consist of 39 top tennis players who are members of the VICTORIA University Sports Centre of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic. The targeted tennis players integrated two 60-minute dynamic vinyasa yoga sessions each practice week into their normal tennis routines. This was designed to provide physical and mental benefits to athletes, focussing on stress regulation and improved focus. Assessments were performed before and after the intervention to determine changes in stress regulation, competition anxiety, and the accuracy of the service. To measure stress regulation, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Competition Anxiety Inventory for Tennis Players (CAI-T) were used. The accuracy of the tennis player’s service was evaluated quarterly. The evaluation of the data sets showed changes in the regulation of anxiety and stress of tennis players. Furthermore, a paired sample t-test showed a significant impact of the yoga intervention on stress regulation. PSS scores showed a reduction, and also the CAI-T test scores showed a significant downward trend. Service accuracy was improved. A paired t-test confirmed that this improvement is statistically significant. We can conclude that the yoga intervention increases tennis players’ performance and well-being.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v9i8.2858
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