Implementing a pressure inurement training program to optimize cognitive appraisal, emotion regulation, and sport self-confidence in a women’s state cricket team

Athletes’ responses to stressors affect their performance under pressure. Pressure inurement training (PIT) is a form of stress exposure training which is used to optimize athletes’ stress responses. In this study, we implemented a 4-week PIT program in a state team of female cricket players. We evaluated the difference in players’ cognitive appraisal, emotion regulation, and sport self-confidence before and after the program, and evaluated their experiences of the program. Combined, the results of our multimethod pragmatist approach indicated that PIT is a promising intervention strategy. Estimates of effect sizes showed medium, positive effects of PIT on challenge appraisal and self-confidence, a small, negative effect on threat appraisal, and a small, positive effect on reappraisal. No effect on suppression was found. Furthermore, results from focus groups suggested that PIT made the players’ training sessions more representative of game situations, increased the purpose of the training sessions, provided awareness of emotion regulation and cognitive appraisal under pressure, and allowed practice of psychological skills important for performance under pressure. The players emphasized the importance of continuously monitoring the stressor difficulty level and stressor significance for the duration of the PIT program, and reported experiencing negative affect during the program. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. <i>Lay summary</i>: This study showed that a pressure inurement training program likely optimizes female cricket players’ stress responses when performing under pressure. Players perceived that the programe made their training sessions more representative of match situations, increased the purpose of the training sessions, and increased awareness of their responses to stressors.

运动员对应激源（stressor）的反应会影响其在压力情境下的运动表现。压力耐受训练（Pressure Inurement Training, PIT）是一种应激暴露训练形式，用于优化运动员的应激反应。
本研究针对一支女子板球州代表队，实施了为期4周的压力耐受训练方案。本研究评估了参训运动员在训练前后的认知评估（cognitive appraisal）、情绪调节（emotion regulation）以及运动自信（sport self-confidence）水平的变化，并调研了她们对该训练方案的体验反馈。
综合多方法实用主义研究范式（multimethod pragmatist approach）的结果可知，压力耐受训练是一种颇具应用前景的干预策略。效应量（effect sizes）估计结果显示，压力耐受训练对挑战型认知评估（challenge appraisal）与运动自信具有中等程度的正向影响，对威胁型认知评估（threat appraisal）具有微弱的负向影响，对认知重评（reappraisal）策略具有微弱的正向影响；未发现其对表达抑制（suppression）策略存在显著影响。
此外，焦点小组访谈（focus groups）结果表明，压力耐受训练使运动员的训练内容更贴近正式比赛场景，提升了训练的目的性，帮助运动员明晰压力情境下的情绪调节与认知评估策略，并为其练习压力下运动所需的心理技能提供了实践机会。
运动员们强调，在压力耐受训练全程需持续监控应激源的难度水平与重要性，并反馈称训练过程中会产生负性情绪（negative affect）体验。
本研究最后讨论了该训练方案的实践应用启示与未来研究方向。
<i>通俗总结</i>：本研究表明，压力耐受训练方案可有效优化女子板球运动员在压力情境下的应激反应。运动员们认为，该训练使日常训练更贴近正式比赛场景，提升了训练的目的性，并增强了她们对应激源反应的认知与觉察。