The use of Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) and Peripheral Temperature (PT) to Monitor Relaxation during Mindfulness Imagery with Relaxing Music

Anxiety is often a challenge for athletes making it difficult for them to perform at their optimum. Many successful athletes have acknowledged that imagery, deep breathing exercises, and relaxation exercises are important in anxiety management (Curtin, Munroe-Chandler, & Loughead, 2015; Pineschi & DiPietro, 2013). Relaxation is important for low arousal sports, such as archery, shooting, and dart-throwing (Zhang, Si, Duan, Lyu, Keatley, & Chan, 2016). The Mindfulness-AcceptanceCommitment (MAC) approach has recently been introduced into the applied sport psychology field and is gaining interest (Gardner & Moore, 2007, 2012). Gardner and Moore claimed that MAC will result in improved quality of practice or training and competitive performance, as well as increased enjoyment of the athletic experience. Mindfulness imagery with music involves putting oneself in a relaxing state of mind that also relaxes the physical body. The combination of imagery and music can create experiences, such as enjoyment, positive thoughts, confidence, and “being in the zone”. GSR is a device to detect and monitor levels of relaxation, however, the use of peripheral temperature (PT) in relation to relaxation has not been studied. Samples of GSR and PT were collected from music and imagery of five elite shooters. Results showed that lower GSR and higher PT were detected when the shooters were performing mindfulness imagery. Further, in-depth interview with the participants provided insight that participants perceived that mindfulness imagery was important to maintain a high state of positive thoughts for performance enhancement and being in the optimal zone. Results of the study throw light on the role of mindfulness in the MAC approach to relaxation in sport imagery, as well as the value of music as an adjunct to imagery to elicit mindful experiences.