Effects of wingwave on athletes’ wellbeing and fluidity of gaze behavior

This article discusses using the wingwave® method using elements of EMDR therapy to reduce anxiety and improve relaxation for team sport athletes.

Article Abstract

“Introduction: The wingwave^® method combining a muscular test and elements of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing has been found to successfully reduce anxiety and improve relaxation in people. However, it is still unclear how exactly its application improves individual wellbeing (though it is assumed to be related to changes in gaze patterns) and if it works for team sport athletes.

Method: To test both, team sport athletes who had reported a problem with a team sport aspect were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group members were individually coached by a wingwave^® coach once while the other participants watched a tennis match instead.

Results: Results showed that athletes in the wingwave^® group benefited from the coaching as their individual perception of their problems improved. These improvements were associated with a decrease of catch-up saccades in a visual object-tracking task conducted before and immediately after coaching.

Discussion: This points to wingwave^® interventions affecting gaze behavior and consequently wellbeing of team sport athletes.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Gadso Weiland, F. P., Noel, B., & Klatt, S. (2023). Effects of wingwave on athletes’ wellbeing and fluidity of gaze behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. Open access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1010063

About the Journal

“Frontiers in Psychology is a multidisciplinary journal that publishes advances in psychological research.”

—Description from publisher