Emotion regulation strategies used in the hour before running

• Published in: International journal of sport and exercise psychology Vol. 10; no. 3; pp. 159 - 171
• Main Authors: Stanley, Damian M., Lane, Andrew M., Beedie, Christopher J., Friesen, Andrew P., Devonport, Tracey J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Morgantown Routledge 01-09-2012; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: affect; emotion; mood; psychological skills; self-regulation
• ISSN: 1612-197X; 1557-251X
• DOI: 10.1080/1612197X.2012.671910

An online survey was used to explore emotion regulation strategies used by runners (N = 506, mean age = 37.69 years, SD = 8.84 years) in the hour prior to training or competition. Content analysis of responses identified 28 categories of emotion regulation strategy, with the most popular being goal setting (23%), distraction (12%), recall of past performance accomplishments (12%), and anticipated pleasant emotions after running (10%). Participants reported greater use of cognitive strategies than behavioural ones, with responses suggesting that emotion regulation and performance management are closely related. Given this cognitive focus, and given the performance aspect inherent to running, it is suggested that individuals' approaches to emotion regulation in sport and exercise contexts differ somewhat from those involved in general daily activities reported in the social psychology literature.