The Impact of an Integrated ACT-Based Psychological Intervention (SmartACT) on Attention and Psychological Flexibility in Adolescent Student-Athletes
Source abstract
Abstract
Background: Executive functions, notably attention and processing speed, are essential for athletic performance, especially in sports that require quick reactions and decision-making under pressure. The current study aims to assess the impact of the SmartACT program—a psychological intervention that includes acceptance and commitment therapy, hypnosis, and guided imagery—on attentional processes and psychological flexibility in adolescent student-athletes. Methods: This 7-week quasi-experimental controlled study investigated the efficacy of SmartACT in adolescent student-athletes aged 15 to 18. A total of 309 individuals were divided into three groups using convenience sampling: SmartACT (n = 93), MAC (Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment, the standardized Gardner & Moore technique; n = 109), and control (n = 107). The d2 test was used to examine attention and visual processing, while the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire—II (AAQ-II) was used to assess psychological flexibility, both before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA and paired-samples t-tests. Results: The SmartACT group showed significant improvement on both tests, specifically in the total number of items processed in the d2 test (457.83 to 600.24; p < 0.001), and experiential avoidance, measured by AAQ-II, decreased (18.48 to 12.80; p < 0.001), indicating increased psychological flexibility. Conclusions: The main findings of our study suggest that integrating ACT with hypnosis and imagery may enhance cognitive attentional functions and psychological flexibility in adolescent student-athletes.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Sport Psychology and Performance · Psychological Treatments and Assessments
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, “Babes-Bolyai” University, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, “Babes-Bolyai” University, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Department of Physical Education and Sport, University “1 Decembrie 1918”, 510009 Alba-Iulia, Romania
Department of Science of Education and Sport, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy
Medicine Faculty, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Robotics, and Production Management, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400461 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Department of Physical Education, Sport and Physiotherapy, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
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