Psychological Program Effectiveness On Heart Rate And Reaction Time In Runners
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21070/pedagogia.v16i1.2357Keywords:
Psychological Program, Reaction Time, Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, 100m SprintersAbstract
General Background An athlete's psychological state dictates performance quality, driving emotional control and physiological responses during high-pressure competitions. Specific Background For 100m sprinters, reaction time depends heavily on psychological readiness, yet coaches often prioritize physical development over essential psychological care. Knowledge Gap Empirical research quantifying the physiological outcomes of structured psychological interventions on 100m sprinters remains insufficiently documented. Aims This study evaluates a psychological program's physiological effects on heart rate, respiratory rate, and reaction time in 100m runners. Results Testing 20 runners across control and experimental groups, a six-week psychological intervention produced a statistically significant decrease in heart rate and respiratory rate, alongside substantial reaction time improvements exclusively within the experimental group. Novelty This research confirms the direct, measurable physiological benefits of targeted psychological relaxation in accelerating neuromuscular response and reducing cardiovascular arousal. Implications Coaches must systematically integrate structured psychological counseling into routine training to regulate physiological responses and secure optimal athletic achievement.
Highlights:
-
Neglecting psychological preparation alters emotional control, causing sub-optimal physiological responses during competition.
-
A structured six-week psychological program significantly lowered heart rate and respiratory rate in 100m sprinters.
-
Targeted emotional regulation and relaxation techniques demonstrably improved neuromuscular reaction times at the sprint start.
Keywords: Psychological Program, Reaction Time, Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, Sprint Runners
References
M. H. Alawi and O. K. Rateb, Scientific Research in Physical Education and Sports Psychology. Dar Al-Fikr Al-Arabi, 1999.
N. M. Al-Jabour, Physiology of Sports Training, 1st ed. Arab Community Library, 2012.
T. A. A. Hussein, Behavior Modification Strategies for Ordinary People and People with Special Needs. New University Publishing House, 2008.
J. A. H. Jaber and A. Kazem, Research Methods in Education and Psychology. Dar Al-Nahda Al-Arabiya, 1989.
A. S. Jassim, The Psychology of Football, 1st ed. Dar Al-Dhiyaa for Printing and Publishing, 2008.
L. K. Malika, Behavioral Therapy and Behavior Modification, 2nd ed. Dar Al-Qalam, 1994.
N. A. Abdulkadhim, A. A. Mahmoud, M. K. Al-Rubaie, and D. J. Hussein, “Formulation of standard and benchmarks for weight lifting maximum strength and muscular power test for students Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences,” ACE Journal of Sports and Physical Education, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 8–13, 2026.
D. J. Hussein, N. A. Abdulkadhim, A. A. Mahmoud, and M. K. Al-Rubaie, “Modern applications of sports measurement and evaluation in assessing weightlifting training programs,” ACE Journal of Sports and Physical Education, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 1–5, 2026.
N. A. Abdulkadhim, D. J. Hussein, and M. A. K. Mahmoud, “The effect of breathing techniques on weightlifting performance and physical endurance,” Indian Journal of Modern Research and Reviews, vol. 2, no. 11, pp. 63–66, 2024.
N. A. Abdulkadhim, “Some biomechanical variables and their relationship to leg pain in gymnastics on the floor movement mat,” History of Medicine, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 1936–1942, 2024.
N. A. AL-Mashaakhi and H. F. Hasan, “Modeling the diagnosis of heart disease among athletes and non-athletes using a decision tree algorithm,” Differences in Motor Skills Indicators at Two Points of Measurements of the Irish Women's National Volleyball Team, p. 91.
T. D. Patrick and D. W. Hrycaiko, “Effects of a mental training package on an endurance performance,” The Sport Psychologist, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 283–299, 1998.
P. Oppermann, Biofeedback's Effect on Sports Performance: A Meta-Analysis and Analysis of Moderators. Boston University, 2013.
C. Goumni, A. Tannoubi, A. Hawani, R. Khalifa, M. Srem-Sai, J. E. Hagan, and V. A. Geantă, “Effects of an 8-week mindfulness–acceptance–commitment intervention on competitive anxiety, mindfulness, and 200-m sprint performance in junior female sprinters: A quasi-experimental study,” Sport Sciences for Health, vol. 22, no. 3, p. 341, 2026.
J. M. Peake, G. Kerr, and J. P. Sullivan, “A critical review of consumer wearables, mobile applications, and equipment for providing biofeedback, monitoring stress, and sleep in physically active populations,” Frontiers in Physiology, vol. 9, Art. no. 743, 2018.
M. Kellmann, “Psychological assessment of underrecovery,” in Enhancing Recovery: Preventing Underperformance in Athletes, pp. 37–55, 2002.
A. Magner, K. Chatham, B. Spradley, S. Wiriyapinit, W. Price, and T. Akins, “Static stretching versus dynamic warm up: The effect on choice reaction time as measured by the Makoto Arena II,” The Sport Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, 2012.
T. J. Hall, The Relationship Between Mindfulness, Anxiety, and Time Lost in Sport Due to Injury Among Collegiate Athletes, 2018.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Noor Salim Mohamed Taha

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.




