MAXIMISING ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: ENHANCING STRESS TOLERANCE WITH THE CONCENTRATION GRID

The influence of stress on athletic performance is well-acknowledged in sports psychology (Jones et al., 2020). Stress is a critical determinant of athletic performance, and its interpretation and management vary among athletes, especially in individual sports (Hill et al., 2020). This study aimed to investigate the potential of a mobile-based application intervention, specifically the Autumn Arcade (2022) concentration grid-based mobile application, to enhance reactive stress tolerance (RST) in table tennis players. 8 national-level table tennis players (4 males and 4 females) aged 18-20 years were selected using a convenience sampling method. Participants were divided into an experimental and a control group. The experimental group engaged with the mobile application for 25 days, while the control group continued their regular training. RST was measured using the Vienna Test System's determination test (S1). Post-intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in RST. In contrast, the control group showed no significant changes. Effect sizes for the experimental group were substantial, indicating the intervention's practical relevance. The study underscores the potential of technology in enhancing athletes' stress tolerance, especially in individual sports. While promising, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the limited sample size and convenience sampling method. The integration of technology in sports training, as evidenced by the positive impact of the Autumn Arcade (2022) mobile application, suggests that mobile-based application interventions could be pivotal in achieving athletic excellence.