Clinical trial NCT06920875: Effects of Imagery and Breathing Exercises on Swimmers' Performance, Mental Toughness, and Heart-Mind Coherence
Official title: The Effect of 10-Week Imagery and Breathing Exercises on 200-Meter Swimming Performance, Mental Toughness, and Heart-Mind Coherence in Swimmers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
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
Lead sponsor: Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Pamukkale University
First posted: 2025-04-10
Enrollment: 19
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 13
Maximum age (years): 18
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: Randomized controlled trial, parallel-group, pre-test post-test design.
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

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.

Detailed description: The study was conducted at the facilities of Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mensupları Spor Kulübü Yüzme Takımı in Denizli, Türkiye. Participants underwent a pre-test/post-test design with the following measures: 200-meter freestyle swimming performance, mental toughness (assessed via the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire), and heart-mind coherence (measured using the Inner Balance HeartMath device for real-time biofeedback of heart rate variability \[HRV\]). The experimental group participated in a 10-week intervention involving daily imagery and breathing exercises performed before bedtime, following a structured protocol (4-second inhale through the nose, 4-second exhale through the mouth, while imagining a 200-meter swim with detailed visualization). The intervention included a 6-day training period on techniques, followed by 10 weeks of daily practice, with reminders and feedback provided via a WhatsApp group. The control group continued standard physical training without additional mental training. Data were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA, with post-hoc Bonferroni tests, and a significance level of p\<0.05.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* 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.

Exclusion Criteria:

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

Primary outcomes:
measure: 200-Meter Freestyle Swimming Performance
timeFrame: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
measure: Mental Toughness
timeFrame: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
measure: Heart-Mind Coherence
timeFrame: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Maximum Coherence Values
timeFrame: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
measure: Balance Performance
timeFrame: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Ankara
country: Turkey
facility: Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University
Study officials:
References: