Athletic PerformanceNCT06920875
Effects of Imagery and Breathing Exercises on Swimmers' Performance, Mental Toughness, and Heart-Mind Coherence
A study testing Imagery and Breathing Exercises in people with Athletic Performance and Mental Toughness, run by Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 13 to 18 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Athletic Performance, Mental Toughness, Coherence (Heart-Mind Synchronization)
- What is being tested?
- Imagery and Breathing Exercises
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 19 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 20 Jan 2025to 17 Mar 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 13 to 18 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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.
Who cannot join
- Diagnosis of heart disease or respiratory system disorders.
- Psychiatric diagnosis or ongoing psychological treatment.
- Serious injury or surgery within the past 6 months.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
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
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.
Read the 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.
- Being tested
- Imagery and Breathing Exercises
- Keywords
- Swimming, Imagery, Mental Toughness, Coherence, Heart Rate Variability, Breathing Exercises, Sports Psychology, Athletic Performance, Mental Training
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Imagery and Breathing ExercisesBehavioural
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Imagery and Breathing Exercises | Experimental | Participants received a 10-week intervention of imagery and breathing exercises in addition to standard physical training. Receives: Behavioral: Imagery and Breathing Exercises |
| Standard of care | No intervention | Participants received only standard physical training without additional mental training. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
200-Meter Freestyle Swimming Performance
time to complete a 200-meter freestyle swim, measured in seconds.
Measured: 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.
Measured: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
Heart-Mind Coherence
Measured using the Inner Balance HeartMath device to assess heart rate variability (HRV)
Measured: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
Secondary outcomes (2)
Maximum Coherence Values
Maximum coherence levels achieved during measurement sessions, assessed via the Inner Balance HeartMath device.
Measured: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
Balance Performance
Assessed as part of the study hypothesis, though specific measurement tools are not detailed in the manuscript.
Measured: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Apr 2025
- Study start20 Jan 2025
- Primary completion20 Feb 2025
- Study completion17 Mar 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Athletic PerformanceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Randomized controlled trial, parallel-group, pre-test post-test design.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 19 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Pamukkale University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06920875
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E-60116787-020-666811
- Status last verified
- Mar 2025
- First submitted
- 16 Mar 2025
- Last updated
- 10 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- 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
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06920875
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- E-60116787-020-666811
- Keywords
- Swimming, Imagery, Mental Toughness, Coherence, Heart Rate Variability, Breathing Exercises, Sports Psychology, Athletic Performance
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 19 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Pamukkale University
- Study start
- 20 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 17 Mar 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Randomized controlled trial, parallel-group, pre-test post-test design.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Imagery and Breathing Exercises | Experimental | Behavioral: Imagery and Breathing ExercisesParticipants received a 10-week intervention of imagery and breathing exercises in addition to standard physical training. |
| Standard of care | No intervention | –Participants received only standard physical training without additional mental training. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 13 to 18 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 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.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Diagnosis of heart disease or respiratory system disorders.
- Psychiatric diagnosis or ongoing psychological treatment.
- Serious injury or surgery within the past 6 months.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Imagery and Breathing ExercisesParticipants 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. | Behavioural | Imagery and Breathing Exercises |
Primary outcome
200-Meter Freestyle Swimming Performance
Time frame: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
time to complete a 200-meter freestyle swim, measured in seconds.
Mental Toughness
Time frame: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
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.
Heart-Mind Coherence
Time frame: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
Measured using the Inner Balance HeartMath device to assess heart rate variability (HRV)
2 secondary outcomes
Maximum Coherence Values
Time frame: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
Balance Performance
Time frame: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Apr 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Imagery and Breathing Exercises in people with Athletic Performance and Mental Toughness, run by Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
200-Meter Freestyle Swimming Performance (time frame: Baseline (pre-test) and 10 weeks (post-test).). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Apr 2025.