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Effects of Imagery and Breathing Exercises on Swimmers' Performance, Mental Toughness, and Heart-Mind Coherence

NCT06920875 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 19

Last updated 2025-04-10

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of a 10-week imagery and breathing exercise intervention on 200-meter freestyle swimming performance, mental toughness, and heart-mind coherence in swimmers. Nineteen licensed swimmers aged 13-18 years were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=9) receiving imagery and breathing exercises or a control group (n=10) receiving only standard physical training. Outcomes were measured using the 200-meter freestyle swimming time, the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), and heart-mind coherence via the Inner Balance HeartMath device. The intervention significantly improved mental toughness and swimming performance in the experimental group compared to the control group, with a trend toward improved heart-mind coherence.

Conditions

  • Athletic Performance
  • Mental Toughness
  • Coherence (Heart-Mind Synchronization)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Imagery and Breathing Exercises

Participants performed daily imagery and breathing exercises before bedtime for 10 weeks. The protocol involved a 4-second inhale through the nose and a 4-second exhale through the mouth while visualizing a 200-meter freestyle swim with detailed attention to technique and performance. A 6-day training period was provided to teach the techniques, and participants received daily reminders and feedback via a WhatsApp group.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Pamukkale University

    collaborator OTHER

  • Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
13 Years
Max Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-01-20
Primary Completion
2025-02-20
Completion
2025-03-17

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06920875 on ClinicalTrials.gov