Effects of Imagery and Breathing Exercises on Swimmers' Performance, Mental Toughness, and Heart-Mind Coherence

Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Mental Toughness; Coherence (Heart-Mind Synchronization); Athletic Performance

Treatments: Behavioral: Imagery and Breathing Exercises

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06920875

E-60116787-020-666811

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of a 10-week imagery and breathing exercise intervention on 200-meter freestyle swimming performance, mental toughness, and heart-mind coherence in swimmers. Nineteen licensed swimmers aged 13-18 years were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=9) receiving imagery and breathing exercises or a control group (n=10) receiving only standard physical training. Outcomes were measured using the 200-meter freestyle swimming time, the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), and heart-mind coherence via the Inner Balance HeartMath device. The intervention significantly improved mental toughness and swimming performance in the experimental group compared to the control group, with a trend toward improved heart-mind coherence.

Full description

The study was conducted at the facilities of Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mensupları Spor Kulübü Yüzme Takımı in Denizli, Türkiye. Participants underwent a pre-test/post-test design with the following measures: 200-meter freestyle swimming performance, mental toughness (assessed via the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire), and heart-mind coherence (measured using the Inner Balance HeartMath device for real-time biofeedback of heart rate variability [HRV]). The experimental group participated in a 10-week intervention involving daily imagery and breathing exercises performed before bedtime, following a structured protocol (4-second inhale through the nose, 4-second exhale through the mouth, while imagining a 200-meter swim with detailed visualization). The intervention included a 6-day training period on techniques, followed by 10 weeks of daily practice, with reminders and feedback provided via a WhatsApp group. The control group continued standard physical training without additional mental training. Data were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA, with post-hoc Bonferroni tests, and a significance level of p<0.05.

Enrollment: 19 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 13 to 18 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 13-18 years.
• Licensed and actively engaged in competitive swimming.
• No serious injuries in the past 6 months.
• Parental consent obtained for participants under 18 years.

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of heart disease or respiratory system disorders.
• Psychiatric diagnosis or ongoing psychological treatment.
• Serious injury or surgery within the past 6 months.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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19 participants in 2 patient groups

Imagery and Breathing Exercises

Experimental group

Description:

Participants received a 10-week intervention of imagery and breathing exercises in addition to standard physical training.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Imagery and Breathing Exercises

Standard of care

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants received only standard physical training without additional mental training.