Flow-Erleben im Tennis

Alexander von Frankenberg

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Abstract

The constructs awareness and concentration are central aspects of psychological
factors. The automatic awareness can develop to automatic intensive concentration which is considered as a pre-stage of the flow experience. The flow experience is marked by the automatic concentration on the task, the transformation of space and time as well as being oblivious and characterizes peak performance. On an electroencephalographic level the flow experience correlates with alpha waves, which characterize a special state of mind on the continuum between sleep and over-arousal which can be described as “relaxed state of mind with contemporaneously concentration”.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of psychological exercises on the
flow experience in tennis. Although the quantitative analysis of the data did not show a statistic significant advancement (as expected) because of the small sample (N = 12) and the non-recurring practice, in the retrospective interviews could be found evidence that psychological exercises show a positive influence on the flow experience. We especially have to emphasize the relaxation techniq
ues in line with psychoregulation. Because of the fact that the diagnostic findings are not well-defined, further studies have to succeed. Especially the interdisciplinary exchange between psychology and
neuroscience is important to understand the flow experience in its complexity.
Key words:
Flow experience, awareness and concentration, intrensic motivation,
elektroencephalogramm, alpha waves, relaxation, meditation, mental training, neuroplasticity.
Original languageGerman
Place of PublicationKöln
PublisherDeutsche Sporthochschule Köln
Number of pages302
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Citation