Focus, Intensity, and Tenacity (FIT) Training: A relapse prevention-based intervention to stop the downward spiral

Abstract

Relapse prevention (RP) training prepares individuals to self-manage behavior to respond appropriately in high-risk situations. FIT (Focus, Intensity, and Tenacity) Training, an RP-based intervention, is designed to prevent or stop relapse into negative self-talk that can lead to the downward spiral. Athletes identify situational triggers and appropriate behavioral and cognitive responses to challenging situations to help ensure optimal performance. An example of successfully implementing FIT Training with a high-potential team is presented. RP/FIT Training can serve as an important intervention to prevent/stop relapse and to ensure the successful transfer of mental skills in competitive situations.

KEYWORDS:

• Mental skills
• relapse prevention
• team training
• transfer

Notes

1 The development of mental skills is discussed extensively elsewhere (e.g., Gould, Dieffenbach, & Moffett, 2002; Gucciardi, Gordon, & Dimmock, 2008), and is not being discussed here.

2 t₁₁ = 7.95, p < .001; Cohen's d = 2.83; Pre-Trn % Positive M = 42.0, SD = 18.73; Post-Trn % Positive M = 84.0, SD = 9.37.

3 F(2, 32) = 68.32, p < .001, Eta² = .81; Team Efficacy Pre-Trn M = 25.18, SD = 4.49; Post-Trn M = 36.67, SD = 2.93; Conference Tournament M = 39.50, SD = .90.

4 F(2, 32) = 68.71, p < .001, Eta² = .81; Pre-Trn % Positive M = 47.92, SD = 15.44; Post-Trn M = 86.33, SD = 8.14; Conference Tournament M = 94.25; SD = 4.14.

5 The series of wins/losses prior to and subsequent to the intervention created a naturally occurring time series design (Campbell & Stanley, 1963; Cook & Campbell, 1979), a quasi-experimental design that controls many of the threats (i.e., maturation, testing, regression, selection, and mortality) to internal validity (i.e., that the intervention resulted in the immediate change from a series of losses to a series of wins), and provides evidence that the intervention had an effect.

6 RP Components A and D: Identify Targeted Skills (implied mental skills) and Identify Desired Response for Situation