Talking to yourself might make you a better soccer player
NCT ID NCT07382518
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at whether using specific self-talk phrases can help soccer forwards (strikers) perform better and feel less stress. Thirty-six male university players were split into three groups: one used motivational self-talk (like 'I can do this'), another used instructional self-talk (like 'keep your eye on the ball'), and a control group used no special technique. Over six weeks, researchers measured their shooting accuracy, game performance, and stress levels to see which approach worked best.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Self-talk training (motivational or instructional cues)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could give coaches a simple, free tool to help players perform better and handle stress during games.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with only 36 male university players, so results may not apply to other athletes or real-world matches. Self-talk effects can be subtle and hard to measure.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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36 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2025
- Finished
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Apr 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 25 years
- Sex
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Male participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria * Male university football players aged 18-25 years * Full-time university students regularly engaged in organized football training and competition * At least two years of systematic football training experience * In good general health at the time of enrollment * No musculoskeletal injuries or medical conditions affecting football performance within the previous 6 months * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing * Able to understand study procedures and complete soccer-specific performance and decision-making tasks * Provided written informed consent prior to participation Exclusion Criteria * History of neurological, psychiatric, or cognitive disorders that could influence decision-making or reaction time * Current participation in structured psychological skills training programs (e.g., self-talk training, imagery, mindfulness training) outside routine football practice during the study period * Use of medications or substances known to affect cognitive function * Presence of any medical condition or injury contraindicating participation in football training or testing * Failure to comply with the intervention protocol or outcome assessments
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Beijing Sport University
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China