Warming up with Pressure Improves Subsequent Clutch Performance on a Golf-Putting Task

Desmond McEwan, Rodney Schmaltz, Kathleen A. Martin Ginis

Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
Department of Psychology, Grant MacEwan University, Edmonton, Canada.

DOI: 10.4236/ape.2012.24025                

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to determine if athletic performance in a high-pressure situation is improved by briefly warming up under high-pressure conditions. Participants first completed a warm up round of golf putting (five shots) under low, moderate, or high pressure. Following a short break, participants completed a single putt under high pressure. Participants who completed the warm up under high pressure performed significantly better on the subsequent high-pressure shot than those who warmed up under low pressure. Warming up under pressure may be an effective means of improving performance in an impending high-pressure situation.

Keywords

Choking; Pressure; Psychology; Golf; Explicit Monitoring

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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