Sports psychology is as important as physical conditioning in an athlete. However, oftentimes it is overlooked. There are various key components in sport psychology, all equally as important to ensure stability in an athlete’s mental health and subsequently get their head in the game!
Winning and Losing
“Indeed, in so many instances when physical talents seem evenly matched, it is the mental factors that will make the difference in winning or losing.”
It is of no surprise that the outcome of a competition affects the athlete psyche. Jones and Sheffield (2011) presented a study, which showcased that the outcome of a game is attributed to the short-term changes in the athlete’s wellbeing, confirming research which has been concluded in the early 1990s.
This comes back full circle, as winning and losing is dependent on an athlete’s mental health whilst the athlete’s mental health is also dependent on winning and losing, as well as other factors which will be discussed further along the paper.
Goal Setting
Goal setting is said to be a mental technique which aids the athlete into achieving his or her own personal goals. These goals may be short term or over a long period of time. Whilst deciding his or her goals, the athlete is to ensure that such goals align with the 5 SMART criteria, being specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound.
Visualization
Visualisation comes after goal setting. An athlete creates the mental image of himself successfully attaining the goal, stepping into the feeling. Athletes are encouraged to include as many senses as possible in visualization, as if they are rehearsing and indirectly training to perform their skill for the game.
Confidence
The relationship between confidence and performance has been deemed of having utmost importance. It has also been proven that the confidence within the team is directly proportional to the confidence which the coach has. This highlights another important fact – how the coach affects the athlete even indirectly – even without himself knowing.
Coping with Injury
Although an injury might seem solely physical at face value, it affects the athlete mentally as much as it does physically. “It’s not uncommon for injuries to fuel feelings of isolation, frustration, anxiety and even depression.” Being absent from competition due to an injury may affect the athlete’s mental well-being. In this regard, it is crucial for the athlete to accept help and support from professionals to take control of the situation and get back on the road of physical and mental rehabilitation.
Eating Disorders
Facing issues with self-esteem is not uncommon in athletes. Contrary to popular belief, this is the case in males and females. Coupling an intense pressure to win with an increased demand to have a particular body shape is a combination that brings about many challenges for athletes. There is pressure to look thinner, leaner, bulkier, stronger, be taller, be more petite; this list is endless. Some sports, such as wrestling, even demand a weight-class system which inevitably puts an extra stress factor into the sport. This nurtures a toxic relationship for the athlete with their body resulting in eating disorders in athletes.
The Bench Warmer
Colloquially termed the bench warmer, when an athlete commits to training but is not yet of the standard of their teammates, they sit and watch the game from the bench in the hopes that someday soon, they will be able to play amongst the rest of their team. It is not uncommon for these athletes to experience an identity crisis of sorts. The goals of the athletes seem far-fetched and unreachable. It can be harmful for the morale of the athlete and furthermore, for their self-esteem. The athlete’s career at this stage is based on hope. Hope that is constantly let down is a factor that can lead to psychological decline.
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