Cardiorespiratory response patterns during multifunctional imagery-assisted biofeedback training – a case study

The study aimed to expand the knowledge of cardiorespiratory response patterns while engaging in multifunctional imagery-assisted biofeedback training in a young cricketer. The athlete was asked to engage in imagery (e.g. facing the bowler in an over: six ball) and cardiorespiratory responses were monitored using biofeedback equipment. The study involved a total of 19 sessions. Phases 1 & 2 focused on need analysis and action plan respectively and phases 3 to 5 focused on imagery–assisted biofeedback training viz. Motivational Specific-MS (six sessions); Motivational General-Mastery MG-M (six sessions); Cognitive Specific-CS-PETTLEP (7 sessions). The qualitative feedback was taken after each session from phases 3 to 5. A higher heart rate (HR) was observed while facing the second ball in an over during MS (83 % of the time) and MG-M type of imagery (50 % of the time). While doing CS imagery, the higher HR was observed while facing the fifth ball in an over (57 % of the time). No consistent pattern was observed in the respiration rate (RR) while engaging in imagery training. The athlete’s feedback revealed that in MS and MG-M, the initial attention was on staying focused while facing the bowler. During the CS imagery, the difference in the HR patterns probably happened because the athlete focused on appropriate skill execution. Understanding an athlete’s cardiorespiratory patterns can be helpful in training an athlete's self-regulation to reach the optimal zone of functioning.