title: Mental and physical attributes defining world-class Norwegian athletes: content analysis of interviews.
abstract: This study reports the results of a content analysis of interviews with 28 Norwegian world-class athletes and 28 controls, matched for gender, age, and type of sport. Semi-structured interviews explored their perceptions of their best performance. The interviews were analyzed using the ATLAS.ti and yielded 20 higher-order codes. Nine higher-order codes were categorized as inner-oriented, five were categorized as outer-oriented, and six were a combination of inner- and outer-oriented. Statistical analysis, using the Mann-Whitney test, showed significant group differences for seven higher-order codes: (a) two outer-oriented codes relating to "mastery--achievements" and "training--outer"; and (b) five inner-oriented codes relating to "mental preparation," "self-reliance," "training--inner," "wholeness," "performance--inner," and "growth orientation." These findings highlight the importance of both inner- and outer-oriented development for high-level achievement in sports--the "mental game" is as important as the physical game, both during training and competitions. Previously published quantitative data reported higher levels of brain integration, faster habitation to a loud tone, and higher ego and moral development in these world-class athletes. These findings are interpreted in light of a Unified Theory of Performance, which proposes that higher mind-brain development provides a basis for higher performance in any activity.
authors: Center for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, Iowa, USA.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Boes
authors: H S
authors: HS
authors: Harung
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Travis
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Pensgaard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000379:methods / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy