Psychological intervention in a rhythmic gymnastics team: a case study

Abstract

We present an intervention programme with a female rhythmic gymnastics team (N =7), with members aged 15 to 21 (M = 18, SD = 2) competing in the senior national category. Fourteen psychological group sessions were conducted between September and December 2011. The motivational climate, approaches to goals, team cohesion, the coach’s leadership style and gymnasts’ psychological skills were assessed before and after the intervention programme. The results showed reductions in an ego-involving climate and ego-orientation and an increase in a task-involving climate. We found changes in the leadership style of the coach, moving toward an optimal leadership profile. There was a progressive improvement in computer performance scores in official competitions.