The effect of a mental training program on state anxiety and competitive dressage performance

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of mental skills training on precompetitive anxiety and performance in nonelite equestrian dressage riders. The intervention comprised mental training techniques, such as goal-setting, relaxation techniques, self-talk, concentration training, and imagery, which are commonly used in sports. Ten Dutch nonelite dressage riders were recruited for the study and used as their own controls. Riders had to participate in an initial competition approximately 6-8 weeks before the beginning of the study. They participated in the second competition approximately 1-2 weeks before the intervention, and in the third, and last, competition upon completion of the 6-week intervention training program. Intervention training took place for 2 hours per week for a period of 6 weeks. A one-way repeated measure analysis of variance with post hoc paired samples t tests revealed a significant difference between competitive results before and after the intervention. Findings suggest that mental skills training has a positive effect on competitive dressage performance in nonelite riders.