An evaluation of distraction control in experienced cyclists

AN EVALUATION OF DISTRACTION CONTROL IN EXPERIENCED CYCLISTS Cyclists who ride while listening to preferred music may change the physiological component of the training session by suppressing fatigue, enhancing the overall riding experience, lowering heart rate, and reducing perceived exertion levels; however, music can also be a distracter (Lim, Atkinson, Karageorghis, & Eubank, 2009). The purposes of this study are to 1) determine the effect of a music distractor on experienced road cyclists' performance during a 20-min cycling effort, and 2) to determine whether the cyclist’s mental toughness minimizes or negates the distractor's effect on performance. Cyclists with higher mental toughness will experience a similar cycling performance outcome when exposed to preferred music and non-preferred music; however, cyclists low in mental toughness skills will have different performance scores between treatments. Participants are experienced cyclists who have in the past year (a) completed more than one time trial, (b) ridden 100 or miles per week, and (c) trained with preferred music. Participants completed Brunel’s Music Rating Inventory and the Physiological Performance Inventory to confirm preferred music playlist and determine level of mental toughness prior to the experimental trials. Performance outcomes assessed were perceived exertion, power, and heart rate. To confirm significant interactions, a repeated measure one-way ANOVA per each outcome measure, and a dependent sample t-test were performed. Denise Michelle Ramirez December 2015 AN EVALUATION OF DISTRACTION CONTROL IN EXPERIENCED CYCLISTS by Denise Michelle Ramirez A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Kinesiology in the College of Health and Human Services California State University, Fresno December 2015 © 2015 Denise Michelle Ramirez APPROVED For the Department of Kinesiology: We, the undersigned, certify that the thesis of the following student meets the required standards of scholarship, format, and style of the university and the student's graduate degree program for the awarding of the master's degree. Denise Michelle Ramirez Thesis Author David A. Kinnenun (Chair) Kinesiology Felicia A. Gomez Consultant Dawn K. Lewis Kinesiology Timothy A. Hamel Kinesiology For the University Graduate Committee: Dean, Division of Graduate Studies AUTHORIZATION FOR REPRODUCTION OF MASTER’S THESIS I grant permission for the reproduction of this thesis in part or in its entirety without further authorization from me, on the condition that the person or agency requesting reproduction absorbs the cost and provides proper acknowledgment of authorship. X Permission to reproduce this thesis in part or in its entirety must be obtained from me. Signature of thesis author: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to offer my sincerest appreciation to the following: Dr. David Kinnenun, if not for your recommendations, guidance, and support throughout my undergraduate and graduate years, I am certain that I would not be obtaining a masters degree without your academic direction. Dr. Felicia Gomez, for allowing me complete access to your testing facility, equipment, and office, where you made the volunteers feel welcomed and appreciated. Your expertise in the sport of cycling was invaluable to the testing process. Dr. Dawn Lewis, for the countless hours spent with me before, during, and after, the data collection process. The time you devoted on my statistics, proofreading my drafts, and providing detailed feedback, is greatly appreciated. Tim Hamel, for infusing your knowledge of sport psychology along with your passion for cycling--both of which helped me to create a unique and significant thesis concept. I take to my classroom, a bit of each of your styles that I find meaningful, engaging, and creative: Dr. Kinnenun, I bring to my class a bit of your humor, availability, and motivation. Dr. Gomez, I provide students with challenging questions, teaching them not to accept mediocrity in their education. Dr. Lewis, I offer my students the highest level of professionalism and knowledge in physical education. Tim Hamel, I covey passion and bring wit to the learning environment, while preparing students for a successful future. And finally, I thank each of you for being a lending ear, a shoulder to cry on, and offering the kindest of hearts, during the most difficult time in my life; for extending me the time to heal, and allowing me ample opportunity to regain my