Thesis
Developing and evaluating a flow intervention for runners
Southern Cross University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.231
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Flow is an intrinsically rewarding psychological state characterised by immersion within an activity and feeling as though everything harmoniously clicks into place. Flow is particularly relevant in sport and exercise due to its association with important positive outcomes such as improved performance and enhanced wellbeing. Despite 45 years of research, flow is still considered to be rare and elusive, and we lack practical strategies for reliably inducing and controlling it. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to develop and evaluate a flow intervention for runners by following an intervention development framework. Chapter 1 introduces the problem statement and provides an overview of the thesis. Chapter 2 presents a critical review of flow research to determine which theories/conceptualisations are most appropriate to underpin the development of a flow intervention for runners. Chapter 3 outlines the philosophical, methodological, and intervention development approach that will be utilised throughout the studies in this thesis. Chapter 4 (Study 1 - Goddard et al., 2021) presents a systematic review of the efficacy of 29 flow interventions in sport and exercise to establish what skills and strategies are suitable for inducing flow. Chapter 5 (Study 2 - Goddard et al., 2022b) consisted of a qualitative study examining end-user perspectives of 14 runners to determine appropriate strategies that could be incorporated into a flow intervention. Chapter 6 (Study 3) presents an intervention development study that summarises the rationale and pilot findings of a flow intervention for runners. Chapter 7 (Study 4 - Goddard et al., 2022a) consists of a mixed-methods (QUAN → qual) study involving a randomised controlled trial with follow-up interviews to evaluate the efficacy of the flow intervention developed in Chapter 6. The intervention consisted of a package of intervention strategies (including open goals, positive verbal feedback, limited quantitative feedback and, use of a metronome). The findings indicate that flow was experienced during the intervention condition, although, it was also experienced in the baseline (run 1) and control conditions (run 2), meaning there was no significant difference in flow experience between groups. Importantly, this study identified a range of moderating factors and processes that influenced the occurrence of different psychological states (i.e., flow and clutch) at different times throughout the session. Finally, Chapter 8 presents a detailed discussion of the program of research within this thesis and outlines important considerations for the development and evaluation of flow interventions in sport and exercise going forward.
Details
- Title
- Developing and evaluating a flow intervention for runners
- Creators
- Scott George Goddard
- Contributors
- Christian Swann (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityChris Stevens (Supervisor) - Southern Cross University
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Theses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University
- Number of pages
- xvi, 253
- Identifiers
- 991013055712602368
- Copyright
- © SG Goddard 2022
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Resource Type
- Thesis