Sports psychology is the study of athletes’ behavior and experiences, including thought processes, emotions, and social interactions. It is focused primarily on how individuals are affected by playing sports (e. g. , coach-athlete relationships), how they manage their emotions during competition (e. g. , composure), and how participation in sport affects their lives outside of sports. Sport psychology is employed by many types of organized, competitive athletic programs at all levels. The sports an athlete chooses to play will determine the type and amount of mental health services they require.
Sport psychologists are hired by team coaches if athletes having difficulties in following game plans or meeting their expectations. Sport psychologists are also used during practices to help athletes become mentally tough and build strong character that will lead them towards success not only in sport but also in life. Sports Psychology focuses on different aspects of mental health, such as how athletes cope with competition, handle winning and losing streaks, deal with their emotions during competitions, perform under pressure, motivate themselves, solve problems more efficiently, improve concentration skills and manage pain.
Sports psychologist uses interviews to help diagnose their clients’ mental health and to suggest ways for them to deal with their problems. Sport psychologists are often sought by athletes who may be having trouble in school, work, or relationships because of their sports participation. Sport psychologists help athletes set goals, overcome fears, cope with anxiety, depression and anger, handle stress before and during competitions, as well as solve interpersonal issues within the team.
Sport Psychology is the study of how psychology affects sports, athletic performance, exercise and physical activity. Sport psychologists are interested in helping athletes use psychological principles to achieve optimal mental health and to improve performance (Begos). Sport psychologists help athletes with anxiety, concentration/focus, goal setting, motivation, arousal regulation, relaxation techniques and mental imagery. Sport Psychology research has increased significantly over the past 20 years especially when it comes to the psychological effect on elite athletes (Beard et al. 2003; Smoll & Smith, 2002).
Sport Psychology helps with athletes’ confidence through helping them predict possible outcomes, which may reduce their anxiety when they compete in an event or during training (Hanton & Connelly). Sport Psychology can also be used by coaches when they are trying to motivate their athletes (Hanton & Connelly). Sport Psychology is critical in the development of an athletes’ mental skills that are necessary for optimal performance.
Sport psychologists can help athletes work through mental blocks that prevent them from performing at their best, which may improve the athletic performance of the athlete (Begos). Sport Psychologists can conduct diagnosis on players mental health, identify behavioural problems and provide psychological skills training to players to develop both physically and mentally (Begos). Sport Psychologists also assist with injury rehabilitation by working with injured athletes in trying to decrease pain and improve their self-esteem when it comes to the injury.
Sport psychologists typically work with elite athletes who compete at national or international levels, however they can help any athlete who wants to improve their performance. Sport Psychology can benefit all athletes by helping them with achieving goals, overcoming fears and increasing concentration ability (Begos). Sport Psychology helps athletes achieve optimal mental health to reduce the risk of both physical and psychological injury as well as decrease burnout which is common amongst elite athletes as sport psychology can help keep sports enjoyable for them (Smoll & Smith, 2002).
Sport psychology is the study of the characteristics, thoughts and behaviors in performance, psychological responses to sport and sport experiences, and the relationship between sports participants and their environment. Sports psychologists apply psychological theories, concepts, and methods to improve athletes’ mental health (performance anxiety) and overall well-being; athletes’ motivation; group dynamics; communication; leadership/conflict resolution skills; interpersonal relationships; career transitions (sports retirement). ”
The most important aspect you should take from this information is that Sport Psychology is for everyone, no matter who it is or what level they are at when it comes to the sport they play. Sport Psychology is becoming more common place when it comes to many sports teams such as Soccer teams having Sport Psychologists on staff to help with issues such as communication and team dynamic. Sport Psychology has been a large part of the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs where Sport Psychologists have helped athletes from many sports including, but not limited to: Alpine Skiing, Cycling, Rowing, Boxing, Track and Field just to name a few.
Sport Psychology is a relatively new field when trying to compare it to other traditional psychological practices such as Psychotherapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy . Sport Psychologists are often the ones helping athletes get over mental hurdles that they may face during their career which can be very rewarding for Sport Psychologists who love athletics and enjoy working with athletes.
Sport Psychologist must also take into account different factors affecting athletes’ attitudes and behaviors when interacting with them. Sport Psychologists have different concentrations when it comes to their practice, there are Sport Sport Psychologists who work with athletes in individual sports such as Track and Field or Cycling while others may specialize in Sport Sport Psychology where they focus on team performance rather than an athlete’s ability.
Sport Psychologist must also keep up the latest research and be able to help train other Sport Psychologists with different techniques and practices that can be beneficial for everyone involved especially athletes. Some of the best Sport Psychologist would be those working close to athletes, not just within a university or training center setting but those working closely with coaches as well as athletes themselves.
A supportive home life is something else that helps Sport Psychology since most athletes will come from homes with supportive parents who are Sport Psychologists themselves or have experience in Sport Psychology. Sport Psychology is not only for athletes but their coaches, family, managers and even trainers as well. Sport Psychology is becoming more widely used with the emphasis placed on mental readiness at all levels of sport. Sport Psychology can be very rewarding if you enjoy helping others with different issues they may face both physically and mentally.
