| On the basis of Hilgard's neodissociation theory of hypnosis, Czikszentmihalyi's concept of flow, and the similarities between them delineated by Unestahl, this study tested the ability of a hypnosis intervention to enhance an intermediate level athlete's basketball skills and ability to attain flow.;Participants (N = 43) were enrolled in a major university in northern California. Participants were matched within a scoring range of +/- 1 based upon their hypnotizability scores using the Waterloo-Stanford Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form C, then randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups (hypnosis group, relaxation group). The hypnosis group was exposed to six intervention sessions focused on age-regression to a previous flow experience (Barabasz & Barabasz, & Bauman, 1993; Barabasz & Watkins, 2005) and post-hypnotic suggestions to recall the experience. The relaxation group was exposed to six intervention sessions focused on progressive muscle relaxation techniques. Basketball performance skills, assessed by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance-Basketball Skills Test (AAHPERD-BST) and three-point shooting scores, and flow state, as measured by the Flow State Scale - 2 (FSS - 2), were measured at pre- and post-intervention.;Results showed the hypnosis group scored significantly better (p < .05) than the relaxation group on dribbling scores, defensive scores and three-point shooting scores at post-intervention, but not for speed shooting scores. The hypnosis group also scored significantly better (p < .05) at post-intervention than at pre-intervention on dribbling scores, defensive scores and speed shooting scores of the AAHPERD-BST. No significant differences were found in flow state scale scores. |
