NCT07382518

Effects of Motivational and Instructional Self-Talk on Performance and Stress in Soccer Forwards

A Study on the Effects of Different Types of Self-Talk on Strikers in Soccer

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 36 (actual)
• Sponsor: Beijing Sport University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 25 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study investigates the effects of different types of self-talk on performance and stress regulation in soccer forwards. Self-talk is a psychological technique in which athletes use specific verbal cues to guide their thoughts and actions during training and competition. Two commonly used forms are motivational self-talk, which focuses on confidence and effort, and instructional self-talk, which focuses on technical and tactical cues. Thirty-six male soccer forwards of different competitive levels participated in this study. Players were randomly assigned to a motivational self-talk group, an instructional self-talk group, or a control group. The intervention lasted six weeks. Before and after the intervention, participants completed assessments of soccer-specific technical skills, physical performance, and match tactical behavior. Psychological measures of self-efficacy and biological indicators of stress (salivary cortisol) were also collected. The purpose of this study is to determine whether different self-talk strategies produce different effects depending on players' competitive level and task demands. The findings are expected to provide practical guidance for the use of psychological training strategies in soccer and other team sports.

Conditions

• Psychological Self-talk Interventions in Soccer Performance

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Motivational Self-Talk Training	Participants received structured motivational self-talk training aimed at enhancing confidence, effort, and persistence during soccer training and match-related tasks. Individualized motivational cue words and phrases were developed and practiced under guidance, and participants were instructed to apply these cues consistently throughout the six-week intervention period.
BEHAVIORAL	Instructional Self-Talk Training	Participants were instructed to apply task-specific instructional self-talk cues to guide technical execution and tactical decision-making during soccer training over a six-week intervention period.
BEHAVIORAL	No Self-Talk (Usual Training Control)	Participants in the control group continued their regular soccer training and match preparation without receiving any form of structured self-talk instruction. No motivational or instructional self-talk strategies were introduced during the intervention period.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-01-20
• Primary completion: 2025-03-07
• Completion: 2025-04-05
• First posted: 2026-02-02
• Last updated: 2026-02-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China