Sport psychology: does it work?

Sport psychology defined

Sport psychology has been defined as teaching mental skills necessary to perform consistently in training and competition and to help individuals and teams reach their full potential. It is an interdisciplinary science based on knowledge drawn from scientific fields such as psychology, physiology, kinesiology and neuroscience.

It is said that the main aim of sport psychology or psychological skills training is to try to improve sportspeople’s mental skills such as self-confidence, motivation, concentration and the ability to relax under pressure.

Four mental qualities needed for success

Much has been said about the so-called mental toughness of successful sportspeople and that it’s not necessarily genetically based but an acquired skill that can be taught. Bruce Jenner, a track and field athlete and motivational speaker, concludes that he has always felt that his greatest asset was not his physical ability but his mental ability. Football player, Alex Karras, agrees that “toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles”.

Experts identify four main mental qualities important for successful performance in most sports, called the 4 Cs:

1. Concentration, that is to maintain focus whether for short and intense or sustained periods of activity
2. Control, that is to maintain emotional control regardless of distraction, anxiety or fear
3. Confidence, that is believing you can achieve your goals
4. Commitment, that is the ability to continue working to agreed goals despite competing interests.

Techniques and skills

Here are some of the techniques and skills commonly used and taught by sport psychologist to assist sportspeople in attaining the 4Cs.

• • Relaxation skills

• • Mental imagery to help visualise success

• • Appropriate and affirmative self-talk

• • Attention and concentration type skills

• • Developing a pre-competition mental routine.

So, does it work?

Can sports psychologists really help sportspeople to do better? Sport journalists like Daniel Engber begs to differ; in his opinion “applied sports psychology remains a qualitative science – more of an art form than a rigorous clinical practice”.

Many successful sportspeople disagree and quote how successful the abovementioned techniques have been in helping them obtain success. Famous golf great, Jack Nicklaus, remarked that concentration was a fine antidote to anxiety and Carl Lewis, track and field gold medallist agrees that self-talk, channelling your energy and focusing helped him win his races. However, most sport journalists and psychologists agree that natural, sporting ability or “talent” also has to be there and has to be nurtured by working out and practising. Basketball coach, John Wooden hit the nail on its head when he pointed out that “nothing will work unless you do”.

The last word goes to author and local sports psychologist, Jannie Putter, who has been mental coach to the Blue Bulls since 2006. As a past provincial and national sportsman he should know what he is talking about and he explains it all in his books, Mentally tough and Secrets of a champion. Jannie’s motto seems to be: you only achieve what you believe, so why be motivated by fear? Be motivated by success instead!

Nice self-talk!

 

Sources
About applied sport and exercise psychology. 2007. Association for Applied Sport Psychology. Retrieved from: http://www.appliedsportpsych/about//about-applied-sport-psych
Engberger,D. 2006.Shrinks in the dugout. Retrieved from: http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2006/07/shrinks_in_the_dugout.html
Mackenzie, B.1997. Psychology. Retrieved from: http://www.brianmac.co.uk/psych.htm
Putter, J. Wenplan vir die lewe: hoe om die uitdagings van die lewe te oorkom. Retrieved from: http://www. Jannieputter.co.za/Publications.asp. on 2012/10/24
Sport psychology. Wkikipedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport.psychology
Sports quotes. 2012. UNT Center for Sports Psychology. Retrieved from: http://www.sportpsych.unt.edu/resources/athletes/31