Preliminary evidence for the treatment of performance blocks in sport: The efficacy of EMDR With Graded Exposure

BENNETT, Jenn, BICKLEY, James, VERNON, Tim, OLUSOGA, Peter and MAYNARD, Ian (2017). Preliminary evidence for the treatment of performance blocks in sport: The efficacy of EMDR With Graded Exposure. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 11 (2), 96-110.

[img]
Preview
PDF (Proof?)
EMDR11-2_R1_A3_001-015 Bennett Vernon Olusoga Maynard.pdf - Accepted Version
All rights reserved.

Download (488kB) | Preview
[img]
Preview
PDF (Draft?)
Vernon - Preliminary evidence for the treament of performance blocks in sport (AM - Q) 16076.pdf - Accepted Version
All rights reserved.

Download (444kB) | Preview
Official URL: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/springer/...
Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.11.2.96

Abstract

Sport psychologists are increasingly confronted with performance problems in sport where athletes suddenly lose the ability to execute automatic movements (Rotheram, Maynard, Thomas, Bawden, & Francis, 2012). Described as performance blocks (Bennett, Hays, Lindsay, Olusoga, & Maynard, 2015), these problems manifest as locked, stuck, and frozen movements and are underpinned by an aggressive anxiety component. This research used both qualitative and quantitative methods in a single case study design to investigate the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy with graded exposure as a treatment method. The participant was a 58-year-old professional male golfer who had been suffering a performance block for 11 years. Specifically, the participant was experiencing involuntary spasms, shaking, muscle tension, and jerking in the lower left forearm while executing a putting stroke. Physical symptoms were coupled with extreme anxiety, panic, and frustration. The study tested the hypothesis that reprocessing related significant life events and attending to dysfunctional emotional symptoms would eliminate the performance block and related symptoms and that the individual would regain his ability to execute the affected skill. Pre-, mid-, and postintervention performance success, using the Impact of Event scale, subjective units of distress (SUD; Wolpe, 1973), and kinematic testing revealed improvements in all associated symptoms in training and competition. These findings suggest that previous life experiences might be associated with the onset of performance blocks and that EMDR with graded exposure might offer an effective treatment method.

Item Type: Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Centre for Sport and Exercise Science
Departments - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Health and Well-being > Department of Sport
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.11.2.96
Page Range: 96-110
Depositing User: Amanda Keeling
Date Deposited: 06 Jul 2017 10:45
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2021 04:57
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16076

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics