Allocated to Intervention condition: n= 14 Division 1 Female Softball athletes

Allocated to Intervention condition: n= 14 Division 1 Female Softball athletes, Allocation to control condition n= 14 Division I Female Softballl athletes, consented and randomized N= 28. Each team at the Division 1 University is allowed 12 NCAA Softball scholarships (n=6, n=14) received scholarship in allocated intervention group, n=6, n=14 allocated to control condition.

Self regulatory mechanisms examined in a two control group design in a comparative control study. The independent variable is the intervention prior to exercise, thermogenic preparation. The dependent variable is the outcome of the Polar Team System (Polar Team Pro/ Polar H10, ECG-based chest straps, Catapult Sports Vector/OptimEye, Firstbeats Sports chest strap sensors with heart rate variability (HRV) and recovery analytics.

Before performance an athletes heart rate can increase 40-100bpm above resting level from just psychological/ physiological stress. At rest trained athletes are at 40-60bpm, mid arousal state focused but calm is 70- 90bpm, moderate arousal “typical pre-competition butterflies” is 90-110 bpm, and high unchecked arousal for example an adrenaline surge, poor regulation right before performance begins can range from 120-150bpm. Successful pre-competition interventions include mindfulness, deep breathing, and HRV based biofeedback of scientific data. The hypothesis is that the group receiving the intervention would have 10-25bpm lower resting heart rate compared to the group that did not receive the intervention.

Category 1 General Negative Self Talk

How often have you experienced criticism, ridicule, mockery, belittling, put-downs, derision, taunting, and performance related trash talk?

1= not often 5= often

Category 2 Embarrassing Social Pressure Terms

How often have you experienced shaming, embarrassment, humiliation, disparagement, jeering, teasing, snide remarks, and negative peer pressure?

Category 3 Academic and Sport Psych Language

How often have you experienced social evaluation, negative peer feedback, peer derision, perceived judgement, stigmatization?

The certified mental performance consultant instructs the control group to remain seated comfortably before a thermogenic warmup: Intervention Script

Step one acknowledge the comment: Close your eyes and imagine when you heard a negative comment or remark or put down, now pause for a moment. Inhale for a second and then exhale the negativity. Remind yourself that this is their opinion, not your identity. Say to yourself in your mind that this is their opinion not my identity. Step 2 controlled breathing: take a slow breath in through your noes for four counts, hold for two, exhale through your mouth for six letting your shoulders drop as you breath out. Take a slow breath in through your noes for four counts, hold for two, exhale through your mouth for six letting your shoulders drop as you breath out. Step 3 cognitive reframe, now we are going to take the negative comment and turn it into a fuel statement. In your head say to yourself not out loud that they may of doubted me, that means that I have the chance to prove them wrong. Their words do not define me, my performance does. Step 4 positive self talk, replace the put down with a controlled phrase of your choosing. “I am prepared, I am focused, I am strong,” “my training speaks louder than their words,” “breathe, reset, dominate.” Now I want you to shift your attention back to what matters, your role, your job, your position, your technique, your game-plan. Say to yourself eyes forward and stay locked in. Repeat breathing exercises as needed.