Effects of Motivational and Instructional Self-Talk on Performance and Stress in Soccer Forwards (STF)

Beijing Sport University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Psychological Self-talk Interventions in Soccer Performance

Treatments: Behavioral: No Self-Talk (Usual Training Control); Behavioral: Instructional Self-Talk Training; Behavioral: Motivational Self-Talk Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07382518

2025556H

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study investigates the effects of different types of self-talk on performance and stress regulation in soccer forwards. Self-talk is a psychological technique in which athletes use specific verbal cues to guide their thoughts and actions during training and competition. Two commonly used forms are motivational self-talk, which focuses on confidence and effort, and instructional self-talk, which focuses on technical and tactical cues.

Thirty-six male soccer forwards of different competitive levels participated in this study. Players were randomly assigned to a motivational self-talk group, an instructional self-talk group, or a control group. The intervention lasted six weeks. Before and after the intervention, participants completed assessments of soccer-specific technical skills, physical performance, and match tactical behavior. Psychological measures of self-efficacy and biological indicators of stress (salivary cortisol) were also collected.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether different self-talk strategies produce different effects depending on players' competitive level and task demands. The findings are expected to provide practical guidance for the use of psychological training strategies in soccer and other team sports.

Enrollment: 36 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Male university football players aged 18-25 years
• Full-time university students regularly engaged in organized football training and competition
• At least two years of systematic football training experience
• In good general health at the time of enrollment
• No musculoskeletal injuries or medical conditions affecting football performance within the previous 6 months
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing
• Able to understand study procedures and complete soccer-specific performance and decision-making tasks
• Provided written informed consent prior to participation

Exclusion Criteria

• History of neurological, psychiatric, or cognitive disorders that could influence decision-making or reaction time
• Current participation in structured psychological skills training programs (e.g., self-talk training, imagery, mindfulness training) outside routine football practice during the study period
• Use of medications or substances known to affect cognitive function
• Presence of any medical condition or injury contraindicating participation in football training or testing
• Failure to comply with the intervention protocol or outcome assessments

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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36 participants in 3 patient groups

Motivational Self-Talk

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group received a motivational self-talk intervention designed to enhance confidence, effort, and persistence during soccer training and competition.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Motivational Self-Talk Training

Instructional Self-Talk

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group received an instructional self-talk intervention focusing on technical execution and tactical decision-making during soccer activities.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Instructional Self-Talk Training

Control

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the control group continued their regular soccer training without receiving any structured self-talk intervention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: No Self-Talk (Usual Training Control)