In the realm of sports performance, understanding the intricate interplay between physical exertion and mental state is paramount. Sports performance is not just about physical strength and endurance; it’s also about mental resilience and overall well-being.
While the Borg RPE scale has long been a reliable indicator of perceived exertion, it doesn’t fully capture the emotional nuances that influence athletic endeavors. This is where the Rejeski Feeling Scale (FS) emerges as a valuable tool for athletes and coaches seeking to enhance performance and wellbeing.
This approach to mood tracking, when incorporated into training sessions, offers a holistic perspective on an athlete’s experience, contributing to both performance enhancement and overall well-being.
Understanding the Rejeski Feeling Scale
Developed by Dr. W. Jack Rejeski, the Rejeski Feeling Scale is a subjective measure of how an individual feels during or after a physical activity. It is a simple yet powerful tool that allows athletes to express their emotions and perceptions, providing valuable insights into the psychological impact of their training. The scale ranges from -5 to +5, with negative values indicating negative emotions (e.g., fatigue, stress) and positive values representing positive emotions (e.g., enjoyment, exhilaration).
Complementing the Borg RPE Scale
While the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale has long been a staple in assessing physical exertion during exercise, the Rejeski Feeling Scale complements it by addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of training. While the Borg RPE Scale focuses on physical effort, the Rejeski Feeling Scale delves into the athlete’s emotional experience, providing a more comprehensive picture of their overall well-being.
By combining the Borg RPE Scale with the Rejeski Feeling Scale, athletes and coaches gain a more nuanced understanding of training sessions. This 360-degree perspective enables them to identify patterns and correlations between physical exertion, emotional responses, and overall performance. The result is a more tailored and effective approach to training that considers not only the body but also the mind.
Benefits for Sports Performance and Well-being:
1. Optimizing Training Programs: The Rejeski Feeling Scale helps coaches tailor training programs based on individual emotional responses. By understanding how athletes feel during and after specific activities, coaches can adjust intensity, duration, and recovery periods to maximize performance gains while minimizing emotional stress.
2. Early Detection of Burnout Monitoring the emotional well-being of athletes can serve as an early warning system for burnout or overtraining. The scale allows coaches to detect signs of mental fatigue or emotional strain, prompting timely adjustments to prevent long-term negative effects on performance and well-being.
3. Enhancing Motivation and Enjoyment: By acknowledging and addressing the emotional component of training, athletes are more likely to stay motivated and engaged. Training sessions that elicit positive emotional responses contribute to a more enjoyable overall experience, fostering a love for the sport and long-term commitment.
Implementation Strategies
1. Regular Integration into Training Sessions: Incorporate the Rejeski Feeling Scale as a standard practice at the end of each training session. Athletes can quickly rate their emotional experience, providing valuable data for coaches to analyze.
2. Feedback and Communication: Encourage open communication between coaches and athletes regarding their emotional experiences. This dialogue fosters a supportive environment and allows for adjustments to training plans based on individual needs.
3. Long-Term Tracking: Establish a system for long-term tracking of emotional responses. Analyzing trends over time provides valuable insights into an athlete’s emotional well-being, allowing for proactive adjustments to training programs.
Conclusion
The Rejeski Feeling Scale represents a groundbreaking approach to enhancing athletic performance by recognizing the interconnectedness of physical and emotional well-being. By integrating this innovative tool into training routines, athletes and coaches can unlock a deeper understanding of the psychological aspects of performance, ultimately leading to more effective and fulfilling training experiences. Embracing the Rejeski Feeling Scale is not just a step towards better performance; it’s a leap towards a holistic approach to sports that prioritizes both the body and the mind.
SELFLOOPS has integrated the Feeling Scale on the website and smartphone applications.
References
Hardy, C. J., & Rejeski, W. J. (1989). Not What, but How One Feels: The Measurement of Affect during Exercise. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 11(3), 304-317. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.11.3.304
Rejeski, W. J. (1981). The Perception of Exertion: A Social Psychophysiological Integration. Journal of Sport Psychology, 3(4), 305-320. Retrieved Nov 24, 2023, from https://doi.org/10.1123/jsp.3.4.305