Sport Psychology Narrative Essay Example

the field both in the United States and Europe. Sport psychology focuses on studying the psychological and mental aspects that are influenced by participation and performance in sports, exercise, and physical activity. The knowledge acquired from this research is then applied to various everyday contexts (Careers in Sport Psychology).

Athletes seek out sport psychologists for three primary reasons: to improve performance, cope with competition-related pressure, and recover from injuries (Careers in Focus). A sport psychologist can boost an athlete's performance by strengthening their mental skills, which can be divided into five categories (Cockshott). The first category focuses on an athlete's goals, which should consist of both a direction and a minimum performance standard to make them achievable.

A goal setting is a guide for athletes to achieve their goals, enabling them to acquire mastery and skill (Cockshott). Sport psychologists assist athletes in reaching their goals through goal orientation and personal motivation. There are two types of goal orientation, the first being outcome goal orientation, which focuses on achieving measurable improvements, such as a winning record.

The second type of orientation is performance goal orientation, which is focused on an athlete's improvement and mastery of skills (Cashmore). Another mental skill that can enhance an athlete's performance is imagery, which involves mentally visualizing an event in vivid detail with the intention of replicating it in reality (Cashmore).

Imagery is frequently utilized before a competition or training session, with the assistance of a sport psychologist. The psychologist aids the athlete in simulating or visualizing the execution of a skill (Cockshott). In addition, imagery can assist in decision making by mentally exploring and envisioning potential scenarios that may arise during competition. It is

important for the athlete to involve multiple senses such as touch, taste, hearing, sight, and smell in their mental imagery (Moran). The athlete's ability to concentrate and concentrate greatly impacts their performance.

Concentration, as defined by Cashmore, is the control over one's attention. Moran further categorizes attention into three dimensions. The first dimension is concentration, which pertains to an athlete's capacity to exert intentional mental effort on the most crucial aspects of a given situation. The second dimension, selective perception, involves the ability to focus on a specific event or information while disregarding potential distractions. The third dimension is double tasking.

An athlete should possess the ability to perform two skills simultaneously with equal proficiency. For example, a "good" soccer player should be able to effectively control the ball while also being aware of their surroundings for passing or shooting opportunities. The guidance of a sport psychologist can be helpful in improving an athlete's focus by evaluating it indirectly through psychometric, experimental, or neuroscientific methods (Moran). Having self-confidence is a crucial mental skill that empowers athletes to perform well in competitive environments.

According to Cockshott, confidence in athletes involves having a strong belief in oneself, which leads to positive thoughts, a relaxed mindset during competitions, and effective skill execution. This confidence can be seen in various aspects such as physical ability, adaptability, psychological and perceptual skills, learning potential, fitness and training level, and decision making (Weinberg).

A lack of confidence and overconfidence can both cause athletes to underperform in competitions as they face pressure and stress. To manage the stress that stems from competition, athletes turn to sport psychology, which teaches them effective methods to cope. According to

Weinberg, stress is described as a significant imbalance between the physical and psychological demands placed on an individual and their ability to respond, with the failure to meet these demands carrying significant consequences.

"An athlete's stress can be divided into four stages. The initial stage involves an environmental demand being placed upon the athlete. The next stage is the perception of demand, where the athlete evaluates the level of physical or psychological "threat". The third stage is the stress response.

Changes in concentration, muscle tension, and anxiety are common reactions to stress. In the final stage, an athlete may either rise to the challenge and conquer their stress or succumb to it and fall apart. Sport psychologists utilize these four stages to minimize an athlete's stress by identifying the cause of their stress and their reaction to it. Additionally, they can assist athletes in managing stress through teaching techniques like progressive relaxation, breath control, and meditation (Cockshott).

The fifth mental skill that can enhance an athlete is motivation, which refers to the intensity and direction of their effort. Sports psychologists consider motivation from two perspectives - trait-centered and view it as a characteristic of the athlete.

The motivation of athletes is driven by their personality and goals. The situation centered view focuses on athletes whose motivation fluctuates with changing circumstances. Sport psychologists can assist athletes in enhancing their motivation by adhering to five guidelines. These guidelines involve considering both the situation and personal factors, comprehending and identifying the athlete's various motives, assessing the impact of environmental factors on the athlete's motivation, and determining the factors that influence their motivation. Achievement motivation encompasses an athlete's determination to succeed in

a task, achieve greatness, overcome challenges, outperform others, and take pride in utilizing their abilities.

Various factors, such as situational, personality, emotional, and environmental factors, can impact motivation. Motivation is crucial for athletes to gain an advantage over their competitors (Weinberg). The increased competitiveness in sports at all levels, combined with aggression and intense training sessions, results in a high prevalence of athletic injuries. It is estimated that around seventeen million athletes sustain injuries in sports-related environments annually (Weinberg). While physical factors are primarily responsible for most athletic injuries, psychological factors also play a role. Weinberg identifies personality factors, stress levels, and attitude as some psychological contributors to athletic injuries.

Psychological intervention is beneficial for athletes during the rehabilitation process of athletic injuries. The rehabilitation can be divided into three stages, starting with the injury and illness phase. In this phase, sport psychologists provide assistance to athletes in managing the emotional aspects that come along with their injuries.

The second phase of the recovery and rehabilitation process involves a sport psychologist assisting the athlete in maintaining motivation and adhering to rehabilitation protocols. Following this is the third phase, which focuses on the athlete's full return to activity. Ultimately, the fourth and final phase centers on the athlete's ability to return to competition and perform excellently.

Sport psychology is beneficial in helping athletes recover from physical injuries by leveraging the widely accepted belief that "The mind is stronger than the body" (Jarvis). Presently, numerous elite athletes assert that their sport is predominantly mental, with physical prowess accounting for just one percent. Thus, athletes require two distinct strengths to achieve success: physical training under a personal trainer and psychological training under

a sport psychologist. Acquiring and applying mental skills during competitions can ultimately determine the outcome, distinguishing between victory and defeat.