HEXAFLEX IN SPORT

The six key processes (contact, values, action, context self, defusion, acceptance).

The ACT intervention model is structured around the "Hexaflex", a scheme that integrates six fundamental processes to promote mental health and performance.

These processes are not linear steps, but interconnected facets of psychological flexibility.

Contact with the present moment: The ability to be here and now.

Values: Clarifying what is truly important to the athlete (their compass).

Committed action: Effective behavioral steps toward those values.

Self as context: The perspective of the observing self, distinct from their thoughts.

Cognitive defusion: Learning to observe thoughts without getting "hooked" on them.

Acceptance: Opening up to internal experiences without trying to control them.

In the sport context, these components work in unison. For example, committed action relates directly to goal setting (such as the SMARTER model), where the athlete commits to specific behaviors (train, recover) even when internal obstacles arise.

If a slip in commitment occurs, the ACT rule is simple: commit, slip, and recommit, normalizing error as part of the process.

Application for improving performance under pressure

Hexaflex is especially useful for managing high-pressure situations where psychological rigidity often causes blockages.

By working on these six points, the athlete learns not to fight against his or her internal experience, freeing up attentional resources for sport performance. Let's imagine a penalty kick taker in a final.

If he becomes trapped in fear (fusion) or tries to suppress his nerves (avoidance), his performance will drop.

Applying Hexaflex, the player: connects with the feel of the ball (present); remembers that his goal is to contribute to the team (values); notices the thought "you're going to miss" as a simple mental event (defusion); allows the anxiety to be there without fighting (acceptance); observes himself feeling that (context self); and finally, executes the run and shot he has trained for (committed action). This holistic approach allows you to perform with fear, not in spite of it.

Summary

The ACT intervention model is structured in the "Hexaflex," integrating six interconnected processes for mental health. These components include contact with the present, values, engaged action, self as context, cognitive defusion, and acceptance of internal experiences.

These processes work in unison, linking behavioral action directly to personal values. If a slip in engagement occurs, the rule is simple: engage, slip and re-engage, normalizing error as a natural part of the sporting process.

This model is vital under pressure, where rigidity causes blockages. By not fighting the internal experience, attentional resources are freed up for performance, allowing the athlete to perform in fear, rather than trying to perform in spite of it.