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

NCT06920875 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: E-60116787-020-666811
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 19
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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)

Keywords

Swimming; Imagery; Mental Toughness; Coherence; Heart Rate Variability; Breathing Exercises; Sports Psychology; Athletic Performance; Mental Training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• 200-Meter Freestyle Swimming Performance

  time to complete a 200-meter freestyle swim, measured in seconds.

  Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).

• Mental Toughness

  Assessed using the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), with scores indicating levels of mental toughness. The Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) is a 14-item scale measuring mental toughness across the subdomains of confidence, constancy, and control, with scores ranging from 14 to 56. Higher scores indicate greater mental toughness, reflecting a more positive psychological profile in athletes.

  Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).

• Heart-Mind Coherence

  Measured using the Inner Balance HeartMath device to assess heart rate variability (HRV)

  Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Maximum Coherence Values

  Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).

• Balance Performance

  Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).

Study Arms (2)

Imagery and Breathing Exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a 10-week intervention of imagery and breathing exercises in addition to standard physical training.

Behavioral: Imagery and Breathing Exercises

Standard of care

NO INTERVENTION

Participants received only standard physical training without additional mental training.

Interventions

Imagery and Breathing Exercises BEHAVIORAL

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.

Imagery and Breathing Exercises

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 13-18 years.
• Licensed and actively engaged in competitive swimming.
• No serious injuries in the past 6 months.
• Parental consent obtained for participants under 18 years.

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosis of heart disease or respiratory system disorders.
• Psychiatric diagnosis or ongoing psychological treatment.
• Serious injury or surgery within the past 6 months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University: lead
• Pamukkale University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Breathing Exercises

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Exercise Movement Techniques; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: None (Open Label) (The manuscript does not mention blinding; assumed as open-label since participants and researchers likely knew the group assignments due to the nature of the intervention.)
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Randomized controlled trial, parallel-group, pre-test post-test design.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 16, 2025
• First Posted: April 10, 2025
• Study Start: January 20, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 20, 2025
• Study Completion: March 17, 2025
• Last Updated: April 10, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)