Implementation and evaluation of a standardised performance profile intervention with collegiate athletes

Performance profiling is a technique commonly utilised by sport psychology practitioners to assist athletes in identifying and understanding their perceived strengths and weaknesses. Although a number of studies have investigated and described the usefulness of performance profiling, there is limited empirical research using standardised protocols for implementation and pre-post designs. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy, validity, and practitioner utility of a revised performance profile intervention [Gucciardi, D. F., & Gordon, S. (2009). Revisiting the performance profile technique: Theoretical underpinnings and application. The Sport Psychologist, 23, 93-117. doi:10.1123/tsp.23.1.93] delivered in a team setting. Specifically, we examined the extent to which the intervention impacted self-awareness, intrinsic motivation, stigma tolerance, and confidence in sport psychology consultation, as well as perceived usefulness and future application of the technique. Participants were 98 (male = 30, female = 68) varsity and club-level collegiate athletes who completed measures of self-awareness, intrinsic motivation, and sport psychology attitudes at pre-intervention and post-intervention, and a post-assessment evaluation. Results revealed that the intervention was efficacious in increasing athletes' confidence in sport psychology consultation and intrinsic motivation from pre-intervention to post-intervention, while self-awareness and stigma tolerance did not significantly improve. Analysis of performance profile worksheets provided evidence for the validity of the technique and its utility for practitioners. Thematic-analysis of post-intervention feedback revealed specific perceived benefits of the technique and future application.