In this study, we analyzed the process of maintaining and changing thoughts and behaviors between the experience of failure in a specific game and the next game based on the technique of TEM, and we named and discussed the contents of the synthesized TEM diagram from the perspective of metacognitive therapy (MCT). We interviewed nine sports competitors in their student age who had experienced failures in team competitions in the past and had dragged them out until the next game and summarized their experiences in a Trajectory Equifinality Model (TEM) diagram. The results of the analysis showed that the state of Cognitive Attentional Syndrome (CAS) which is regarded as a main problem in MCT, decreases performance. In addition, functional coping behaviors were shown to improve performance, resulting in the acquisition of Detached Mindfulness (DM) states. The results suggest that it is useful to examine the psychological factors that contribute to performance decline and improvement from the perspective of MCT, and to support performance improvement through MCT. In the future, it will be necessary to explore unhelpful coping behaviors in sports situations using behavioral assessment tests for anxiety that deal with unhelpful coping behaviors, and to examine how these behaviors affect performance through psychoeducation and interventions based on DM techniques.

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This study aimed to measure karate playersʼ contingent negative variation (CNV) and P3 and to evaluate their information processing when predicting a temporally shielded punch. Based on their experience of karate competition, participants were divided into two groups: an expert group of 11 people belonging to the A university karate club and a novice group of 13 people without karate competition experience. This study employed a choice reaction task and used the karate videos as stimuli. Participants were told to press a button with their right hand if the video showed an upper punch and with their left hand if it showed a middle punch. The measurement indices were the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for task difficulty, correct answer rate, reaction time, CNV, and P3. The results showed that the reaction time of the expert group was significantly shorter than that of the novice group. Similarly, the P3 latency of the expert group was significantly shorter than that of the novice group, indicating that the expert group was quicker to evaluate the stimulus during the prediction of the punch. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in CNV amplitude and P3 amplitude between the expert and novice groups, indicating that the same level of cognitive processing took place between the expert and novice groups during the video presentation. This suggests that the expert group is able to perform better at a certain level of brain activity. Therefore, it is clear that the expert group in this study is able to respond quickly by appropriately adjusting their brain activity in the cognitive and motor preparation stages during the prediction of the punch.

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Although the problems associated with corporal punishment have been identified, its use has yet to be dispensed with. To eliminate corporal punishment, it is necessary to prevent its proliferation, as those who have experienced it tend to impose it on the next generation of students. Accordingly, comprehending the psychological mechanism by which those who have experienced corporal punishment in the past accept it now is critical to its successful abolition. This study explored the relationship between positive perceptions and gratitude toward personal past experience of corporal punishment, as well as the relationship between these perceptions and emotions and favorable attitudes toward corporal punishment. An online survey was administered to those who had experienced corporal punishment in the past. The results revealed a link between positive perception and gratitude for the experience. A positive perception toward the experience was directly linked to acceptance and implementation of corporeal punishment. Moreover, gratitude for the experience was related to favorable attitudes toward corporal punishment via the positive perception of the experience. These findings are useful for examining approaches to changing the favorable attitudes toward corporal punishment held by those who have experienced it in the past.

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Recently, studies have shown that gratitude has a positive effect on athletes’ mental health and on the maintenance and improvement of relationships. However, it is not clear as to what kind of perception of the group environment can enhance athletes' gratitude. We aimed to assess athletes’ perception of the group environment in relation to promoting gratitude (perceived gratitude environment). A total of 138 university athletic club students were asked to complete an open-ended questionnaire. The data was analyzed using the qualitative procedures outlined by Côté et al. (1993). We created tags from the data and gathered tags with similar meanings. Subsequently, we labeled the cluster of tags (categories) to reflect the topic in brief. As a result, we found that there are four aspects of the perceived gratitude environment: relationships formed by expressions of gratitude, gratitude of team members, activities expressing gratitude, and norms of gratitude expression. In future research, the findings of this study should be used to determine the kind of perception of the group environment that promotes gratitude in athletes.

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In this review, we examined the literature on psychological aspects among professional soccer players and discussed the research trends in this field. National and international databases were searched using terms such as “psychological and (soccer OR football) and professional” and 56 studies were selected. A total of 15 psychological aspects were extracted from the selected studies. In addition, an overview of the studies revealed that (1) most of the studies were conducted in Europe and targeted approximately one soccer team, (2) most of the studies were survey or observational studies and only a few were intervention studies, and (3) most of the research topics were related to players’ mental health, with many studies dealing with aspects such as stress and coping strategies. From study designs, it can be said that the research targeting professional soccer players is still in the stage of identifying the psychological aspects among the players and organizing these in terms of significance. In the future, it will be necessary to determine the significant psychological aspects through research and suggest and evaluate interventions for professional soccer players.

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This study examined Japanese athletesʼ perceptions of a good coach, including the necessary personal or behavioral characteristics. Data were collected using an open-ended questionnaire survey of 140 collegiate athletes (68 males and 72 females; average age 19.49 ± 0.96 years) from 26 sports. The KJ method was applied to extract the characteristics of a good coach. These factors were then categorized according to the closeness of response meanings. The 399 valid characteristics obtained were classified into 93 categories, and finally consolidated into five categories: “practicing athletecentered coaching,” “possessing superior humanity,” “having excellent knowledge and skills,” “making precise assessment and action,” and “building confidential relationships.” The results indicate that modern athletes believe a good coach should have the five core attributes. This finding suggests that a noble character is fundamental. Furthermore, coaches should update their knowledge and skills, behave appropriately in reading sport fields accurately, and forge solid relationships with athletes. The good coach would be able to embody athlete-centered with such practices. Therefore, coaches are expected to continue developing their personality and coaching skills, while keeping in mind athletesʼ and social needs. This study can serve as an essential guide for those who wish to become good coaches.

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Previous studies have indicated that imagery is important for the performance of gymnastics. The purpose of this study was to examine the practical effects of imagery training on artistic gymnasts. The subjects chosen for this research were male gymnasts (n=26) belonging to the male gymnastics club of University A. In this study, the group was divided into an image training group (n=16) and a control group (n=10), and imagery training group performed imagery training 5 times a week for 3 weeks. The content of the training was set with reference to the PETTLEP model (Holmes and Collins, 2001). Subjects were asked to answer the Japanese SIAQ (Aikawa et al., 2019) and CSAI-2 (Martens et al., 1990) before and after the intervention, and their performance was measured. The results of this study indicated that the imagery training group members improved their imagery ability and self-confidence. Although there was no statistically significant difference in performance, there was a valuable change in performance in gymnastics. In conclusion, this study revealed the effect of imagery training based on scientific evidence. We consider that this study has provided useful knowledge for gymnasts, coaches, and mental training consultant in sports who use imagery training.

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