Imagery intervention to increase flow state: A single-case study with middle-distance runners in the state of Qatar

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an imagery intervention on flow state in elite junior middle-distance runners based at a high-performance academy in Doha, Qatar. The study consisted of a non-concurrent, single-case, multiple-baseline A-B design. Theory-guided interviews on proximal conditions of flow state, including challenge–skills balance, clear goals, and unambiguous feedback, were conducted with athletes and coaches forming the basis of the intervention. The baseline phase was completed once each participant had met the stability criterion for flow state. Three participants worked with individualised, tailored imagery scripts during a four-week intervention phase. The results of the post-intervention phase showed a mean increase in flow state for all participants. The results have cross-cultural relevance and outline the challenges and potential barriers associated with working with elite junior athletes in “emerging countries” in the Middle East, in comparison to working with Western athletes in “emerged countries”. Positive effects and some of the pitfalls associated with forming work collaborations between sport psychologists, working in research and applied areas, are considered in the discussion.

Keywords:

• flow
• intervention
• Arabic athletes
• cross culture

Disclosure statement

No financial interests arise from the application of the research.