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CONRAD Thesis Final.pdf (918.44 KB)

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Ironic effects in softball pitching: How knowing information about an opponent's strengths affects athletic performance under pressure

Conrad, Mackenzie
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1523274403849214

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science, University of Akron, Physical Education-Exercise Physiology/Adult Fitness.
As athletic competition and college athletics continuing to grow and flourish, there is an increased stress on preparing for games. This research looked specifically at NCAA and NAIA (Division I, II and III) softball pitchers (n = 12) and their ability to throw fastballs to locations under pressure when given specific information about an opponent's strengths. Collegiate softball pitchers are expected to handle an immense amount of pressure and perform with precision and few errors. The purpose of this study was to examine the Ironic Process Theory related to fast pitch softball pitching and to determine how knowing information about an opponent's strengths affected experienced pitcher's performance under pressure. Each pitcher that participated in this study was instructed through two 30 pitch phases (a high and low pressure phase) in which they were presented randomly with two different conditions: black target only condition (BOTC) or black and red target condition (BRTC). Participants were asked to aim and hit the black target and avoid the red target. The black target represented the weakness of the opponent and the red target represented the strength of the opponent. Perceived pressure was measured before each pressure phase. It was hypothesized that participants would hit fewer black targets under pressure and throw significantly more pitches to the red target while under pressure. Practically, it was hypothesized that being given excess information about an opponent's strengths under pressure would ironically cause pitchers to throw more pitches to the red target (opponent's strength). Results from this study revealed an increase in pitches thrown to the black targets while under pressure, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Also, there was no statistically significant difference in the number of pitches thrown to the red target (opponents strength) while under pressure. These results contradict previous research done examining performance under pressure and more specifically, the Ironic Process Theory (Wegner, 1994).
Ronald Otterstetter, Dr. (Advisor)
Mallory Kobak, Dr. (Committee Member)
Juvancic-Heltzel Judith, Dr. (Committee Member)
Miller Brian, Mr. (Committee Member)
48 p.
Behavioral Psychology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Conrad, M. (2018). Ironic effects in softball pitching: How knowing information about an opponent's strengths affects athletic performance under pressure [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1523274403849214

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Conrad, Mackenzie. Ironic effects in softball pitching: How knowing information about an opponent's strengths affects athletic performance under pressure. 2018. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1523274403849214.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Conrad, Mackenzie. "Ironic effects in softball pitching: How knowing information about an opponent's strengths affects athletic performance under pressure." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1523274403849214

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1523274403849214
373
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This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.