Cognitive strategies used by marathoners in each quartile of a training run

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish whether marathoners associate or dissociate more in particular quartiles of a training run. Sixty tape transcriptions of on-the-spot verbalised thoughts of 31 runners which had been collected during training runs were divided into quartiles and analysed according to thought categories. The 60 transcriptions were then further divided into four sub-groups based on the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) given by the runners after their training run recording sessions. Finally, the various cognitive strategies used by male runners were compared to those used by female runners. The results indicated significant differences in the cognitive strategies used in each quartile of all 60 transcriptions, and for groups with a RPE of 11-12, 13-14 and 15-18. Significant differences were also found in certain categories of thoughts for male and female runners.


(S. African J. for Research in Sport, Physical Ed. and Recreation: 2002 24 (1): 87-100)