Mapping the Runner’s Mind: A New Methodology for Real-Time Tracking of Cognitions

Abstract

Recording cognitions in real-time while running has been identified as one of the major limitations in the field of sport psychology. In this study, a new methodology was developed to overcome this limitation. For this purpose, 17 competitive long distance runners participated voluntarily. The experimental session consisted in identifying and storing cognitions (thoughts, emotions, sensations and mental images) while performing a 30 minutes treadmill run. In addition, participants were asked to register which of these cognitions were perceived as unpleasant. The mapping task showed a total of 1154 cognitions recorded, mostly thoughts. In general, during the session, cognitions perceived as unpleasant represented 13.43% of the total recorded. These cognitions were mainly directed to physical sensations that resulted from stimulations derived from the physical effort of running. Consequently, it is possible to claim an interaction relationship between sensations and exercise workload. The results attempt to demonstrate that the study of cognitions in real-time is deemed suitable during running.Keywords: Cognitions; Long Distance Running; Technology; Perceived Exertion; Exercise Workload IntroductionLong distance running is one of the most natural ways to experience psycho-physiological fatigue, (Nowak, 2010). As an endurance exercise, it represents an important mental and physical challenge to all athletes who wish to excel (De la Vega, . It has been suggested that cognitions play an important role in running performance, especially in moments of intense fatigue (Buman, Omli, Giacobbi, & Brewer, 2008;LaCaille, Masters, & Heath, 2004). To understand the influence of cognitions in long distance running, several studies have been carried out. Of the various approaches (i.e. cognitive strategies, self talk, attentional focus) in the present study, we focus on the cognition's classification. Schomer's (1986), results had shown ten categories: feelings and emotions, body monitoring, command and instruction, pace monitoring, environmental feedback, reflective activity thought, personal problem solving, work and career management, course information and talk and conversational chatter. In this regard, Nietfeld (2003) had classified the athlete's cognitions while running into the following categories: externally-focused thoughts (not directly related to the task), planning (related to pre-race preparations), information management strategy (thoughts that reflect strategies that runners use during the competition), monitoring (thoughts runners have about their energy level, pain tolerance or form), debugging (thoughts that reflect changes in strategies or adjustments during the race), evaluation (thoughts that reflect back on a race). Through a multiple-factor structure Goode and Roth (1993) concluded that cognitions are conceptualized in five specific thought-related categories: monitoring of body responses, daily events, interpersonal or social relationships, related to external surroundings, and thoughts of a religious ...

Propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Motivación Deportiva y análisis de la motivación en las clases de educación física y su relación con nivel de práctica de actividad física extraescolar (Psychometric properties of the Sports Motivation Scale, and

“…En el ámbito de la psicología de la actividad física y de deporte se distinguen dos líneas fundamentales de investigación, la primera que analiza los estados de ánimo desde un enfoque básicamente congnitivo (Quintana, Rivera, De la Vega y Ruiz, 2012;Parry, Chinnasamy, Papadopoulou, Noakes y Micklewright, 2011;Vallerand y Blanchard, 1999) y la segunda formada por las investigaciones cuyo objetivo principal gira en torno a la dimensión motivacional (Deci y Ryan, 1985;Gillet, Berjot, Vallerand, Amoura y Rosnet, 2012;Li et al, 2011;Plessner, 2010). En concreto, la Escala de Motivación Deportiva (EMD) quedaría englobada dentro de la segunda línea de actuación (Vega, Ruiz, Tejero y Rivera, 2014).…”

Efecto de las estrategias cognitivas de asociación y disociación sobre la percepción subjetiva de esfuerzo, el consumo de oxígeno y la activación nerviosa central : un estudio experimental en corredores de fondo

“…Cognitions are internal and not directly observable, the stream of cognitions while running is dynamic switching from thoughts to sensations and emotions , Quintana et al, 2012. In the present study was possible to control if participants were using the requested associative and dissociative strategy during every session.…”

“…One of the big difficulties for the assessment of the attentional process is related to their nature, cognitions are internal and not directly observable . The research of Quintana, Rivera, De la Vega, and Ruiz (2012) have shown that stream of cognitions while running is dynamic, switching from thoughts to sensations and emotions. Particularly, long distance running, and the accumulated effort of the activity have shown that cognitions cannot maintain a linear direction (Balagué, Hristovski, Aragonés, and Tenenbaum (2012).…”

“…It would difficult for the athletes to remember their cognitions during a long distance run (Schomer, 1986), and the thought classification could be biased (Masters & Ogles, 1998) by the simple action of asking participants what they were thinking. As Quintana et al (2012) reported, the stream of cognitions while running is wide and varied, and can easily swift to images, emotions, sensations, and thoughts pleasant or unpleasant, accordingly, the use of a retrospective approach must be avoid.…”

“…The MindFocus® application allowed us to overcome the tools limitations of past studies (Brick et al, 2014). As Quintana et al, (2012) suggested using the MindFocus® application with the hand held controller showed to be effective tools for real time measuring of cognitions while running. The first session served to record maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) which was used to compute the target speed at the ventilatory threshold (VT1) for sessions two and three.…”