The evaluation of the effects of sport psychology interventions on performance and related outcomes is a central issue in evidence-based practice. Although there is an extensive literature in the domain of sport psychology, recent meta-analyses have only identified a few interventional studies that test the effects of different psychological interventions on performance (Brown and Fletcher, 2017; Lochbaum et al., 2022). While Brown and Fletcher (2017) identified 35 randomized controlled trials, Lochbaum et al. (2022) reviewed 13 meta-analyses examining the effects of various types of psychological interventions on sport performance. Although positive effects have been reported, effect sizes are heterogeneous and depend on the type of intervention (psychological or psychosocial), the techniques used (single or multi-component), and population characteristics (e.g., sex). Thus, there is a clear lack of evidence, and greater efforts need to be made to provide professional practitioners with support that is based on reliable research. This issue is even more critical when focusing on elite performance. "Elite" can be defined in various ways, and the literature proposes different taxonomies (e.g., Swann et al., 2015; McKay et al., 2022). In particular, McKay et al. (2022) suggest a classification system that ranges from "sedentary" (Tier 0) to "world-class" (Tier 5). Tiers 4 and 5 describe groups of athletes who perform within 7% of world-record performance, with maximum or near-maximum training loads. All athletes in these tiers compete at international level, are ranked in the top 300 in their respective sport, and represent 0.003% of the global population. Their best performance relies on tiny, yet key details. Thus, it is crucial to better understand the impact of psychological interventions on performance in this specific population. Against this background, Brown and Fletcher (2017) evaluated the effects of sport psychology interventions on performance; their meta-analysis found that only one of the 35 included studies was conducted with "international" athletes. Thus, evidence regarding the effectiveness of sport psychology interventions on performance in elite athletes seems very weak.
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