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Sports psychology can help athletes overcome failure and improve performance By
Erin Cowles Three - two - one - the skier breaks through the start gate and speeds down the hill trying to break her seemingly endless losing streak. Having the term "did not finish" next to each race result is never any downhill skier's, let alone athlete's, idea of accomplishment. For Caroline Lalive it is reality. One article said "Lalive has had terrible luck at the past two World Championships, failing to complete six of her seven races. The only race she completed was the 1999 super-G, in which she placed 28th." Lalive competed as an independent downhill skier from the United States in the 2002 Winter Olympic games. Lalive's inability to finish a race started having a profound affect on her skiing, causing her self confidence to deplete. It became necessary for Lalive to see a sports psychologist. Sports psychology is the scientific study of people and their behaviors in sport and exercise contexts, and the practical applications of that knowledge. Sport psychology professionals are interested in how participation in sport, exercise, and physical activity may enhance personal development and well being throughout the life span. These professionals can help athletes understand why they are experiencing trouble and help them to overcome making the same mistakes. Many athletes suffer similar setbacks as Lavlive has. Athletes make the same mistakes because they have a tremendous amount of pressure and stress. Mandy Campbell was the team captain for her high school volleyball team the year they went to the state championships. She was continuously missing the set each time. "It started as something so miniscule and progressively got worse because my confidence in my ability to set was diminished," said Campbell. Holding the position of team captain did not help the situation out much either. Campbell felt the pressure from her coaches and teammates to be the best setter for the team. "The attitude of the captain determines the attitude of the team," Campbell said. Campbell recognized that she needed to seek professional help and her coach recommended her to a local sports psychologist who helped Campbell discern between fear of losing and making the same mistakes. Campbell's team went on to win the state championship. Some of the important tools sports psychologists focus on include goal setting, imagery and simulation, flow, and flow control. Working with a sports psychologist, using these tools can help any athlete attain their goals and get back in the right frame of mind. People can also see a sports psychologist for help with other aspects besides losing. In fact the most common reason people see a sports psychologist is to improve their performance. "Performance may be enhanced through the teaching of mental strategies that either refine the practices of effective performers or help ineffective performers overcome obstacles that prevent them from reaching their potential," according to Mind Plus Muscle. Sports psychologists can help by providing information about the role of psychological factors in sport, exercise, and physical activity to individuals, groups, and organizations. They teach participants specific mental, behavioral, psychosocial, and emotional control skills for sport, exercise, and physical activity contexts. No matter what the reasons may be, a sports psychologist can help any athlete who has been plagued by pressure, stress or failure. A sports psychologist can also help an athlete improve his or her performance.
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