Introduction: Instructional self-talk is one of the cognitive processes and strategies that is assumed to be one of the appropriate and applicable interferential methods which can be practiced to improve individuals’ performance. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effect of instructional self- talk frequency on the older adult’s conduction of motor performance.
Method: This study is of semi-experimental research which is comprised of pre, post and retention tests. 36 older adults from the city of Ahwaz were equally assigned to 3 groups. 1-repetition instructional self-talk, 3-repetition instructional self-talk and no self-talk; respectively distinguished the first, the second and the third group that is considered as the control group. Firstly, the participants took a pre-test. Afterwards they practiced basketball chest pass skill for 2 weeks, 3 sessions a week. After the last practice session, the post test was done and 48 hours following the post test, the retention test was done as well. The criteria to participate in the study were full awareness plus psychological and mental health. The data was analyzed with combined and within group variance analysis at the significance level of (p<0.05).
Results: The findings of the study indicated that the practice of self-talk with 1-repetition in comparison with 3-repetition self-talk and no self-talk, had a positive effect on elders in conducting the chest pass during post and retention tests (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Briefly speaking, less alternated self-talk may improve older adult performance in conducting skills that are attention requiring such as basketball chest pass.