Khelifa Nida Bartura

• Bartura, Khelifa Nida; Abrahamsen, Frank Eirik; Gustafsson, Henrik; Hatzigeorgiadis, Antonis & Gorgulu, Recep (2024). Ironic processes of concentration and suppression under pressure: A study on rifle shooting in Norwegian elite biathletes. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 34(5), p. 1–20. doi: 10.1111/sms.14647.
• Bartura, Khelifa Nida; Gorgulu, Recep; Abrahamsen, Frank Eirik & Gustafsson, Henrik (2023). A systematic review of ironic effects of motor task performance under pressure: The past 25 years. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. ISSN 1750-984X. doi: 10.1080/1750984X.2023.2193966. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Wegner's theory of ironic processes of mental control emphasizes how the implementation of cognitive load-induced avoidant instructions can cause inefficient motor cognition in sports, thereby inducing so-called ironic effects where an individual—ironically—does precisely what s(he) intended not to do. This systematic review synthesizes relevant existing research and evaluates the effectiveness of experimental manipulations and cognitive load measurements for investigating ironic effects on motor task performance under pressure conditions. This review identified twenty-four empirical studies published before January 2022, including studies with experimental (21%) and quasi-experimental (79%) within- and between-subject designs. The most common reported pressure (i.e., cognitive load) manipulations fell into two categories: anxiety (77%) and dual-task (33%) techniques. The review also identified positive action-oriented instructional interventions to reduce ironic errors. Although most reported findings supported Wegner's assumptions about ironic performance effects, the review also identified inconclusive evidence (8%), which indicates a need for more research with a greater focus on: robust experimental design; the inclusion of competitive stressors; expert athletes; elite athletes; and intervention-based studies. These additions will clarify the mechanisms of ironic effects and assist in the development of interventional programs to diminish the likelihood of ironic effects in sports performance.

• Hatzigeorgiadis, Antonis; Bartura, Khelifa Nida; Argiropoulos, Christos; Comoutos, Nikos & Flouris, Andreas (2017). Beat the Heat: Effects of a Motivational Self-Talk Intervention on Endurance Performance. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. ISSN 1041-3200. 30(4), p. 388–401. doi: 10.1080/10413200.2017.1395930. Show summary

  The study examined the effects of a motivational self-talk intervention on endurance cycling performance in hot conditions. Participants were 16 physically active adult men. After a baseline VO2 peak assessment and two training sessions, participants completed a 30 min cycling trial in a hot environment (35°C, 45% relative humidity) while maintaining a steady rate of perceived exertion. Participants of the intervention group produced greater power output during the final third of the trial. Findings suggest that the self-talk strategy seems to have compromised the aversive effects of the demanding environmental conditions and provide support for the psychobiological model of endurance performance.

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