Journal article
Exploring runners' perspectives of potential strategies for flow interventions
Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, Vol.35(3), pp.455-477
2023
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Flow is an intrinsically rewarding psychological state characterized by effortlessness, absorption, and feelings of automaticity, that is associated with numerous beneficial outcomes for athletes (e.g., performance, motivation, wellbeing). Many studies have attempted to induce flow through interventions, however, with minimal success, perhaps due to a lack of consultation with end-users regarding appropriate strategies. Therefore, this study sought to examine runners’ perspectives on potential strategies that should be considered during the development of flow interventions. Fourteen athletes (Mage = 32.71; SD = 7.22) participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, which generated four categories with themes relating to factors that cause and inhibit the occurrence of flow within each category. Specifically, these runners suggested that flow interventions should: (i) create an exploratory or novel context; (ii) set open-ended goals; (iii) provide feedback that exceeds expectations; and (iv) ensure that attention is process-focused or directed toward pleasant aspects of the run. Moreover, runners suggested that certain strategies may inhibit the experience of flow: (i) evaluative contexts; (ii) setting specific goals; (iii) delivering quantitative feedback; and (iv) focusing on disruptive stimuli and bodily sensations. The findings of this study provide researchers with detailed end-user perspectives of strategies that may inform the development of flow interventions, and in turn, increase the likelihood of their efficacy.
Details
- Title
- Exploring runners' perspectives of potential strategies for flow interventions
- Creators
- Scott G Goddard - Southern Cross UniversityChristopher J Stevens - Southern Cross UniversityChristian Swann - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, Vol.35(3), pp.455-477
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Identifiers
- 991013004098002368
- Copyright
- © 2022 Association for Applied Sport Psychology
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health; Human Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article