Mind and motion

What is sport psychology?

The study of how psychological factors influence sports, athletic performance, exercise and physical activity.

What do sport psychologists investigate?

How sport can improve health and wellbeing.

What do sport psychologists do?

Work with athletes to help them perform better in their sport.

What is attentional focus?

The ability to tune out distractions and focus on the task.

Why is attentional focus important?

It allows athletes to manage their mental focus and improve performance.

Strategy to improve attentional focus - Deep breathing

Uses slow, controlled breathing to improve concentration and reduce distractions.

Strategy to improve attentional focus - Mindfulness

Paying attention to bodily signals and sensations in the present moment.

What is mental toughness?

The psychological characteristics that are important for athletes to reach optimal performance.

Mental toughness characteristic - Bounce back from setbacks

The ability to recover quickly after failures or challenges.

Mental toughness characteristic - Desire to succeed

A strong motivation to achieve goals.

Mental toughness characteristic - Positive reactions

Responding positively to challenges and setbacks.

Mental toughness characteristic - Retaining control

Staying in control of emotions and behaviour.

Mental toughness characteristic - Remaining calm under pressure

Keeping composure in stressful situations.

Mental toughness characteristic - Belief in oneself

Having confidence in your own abilities.

What is goal setting?

Setting a goal and identifying each step needed to achieve it.

How does goal setting help athletes?

It mentally prepares athletes for training and competition.

What is visualisation?

Creating a mental image of what is intended to happen.

Why is visualisation useful?

It allows athletes to mentally rehearse and imagine the outcome they want.

What is intrinsic motivation?

Motivation that comes from within.

Example of intrinsic motivation

Personal desire to win or a sense of pride from performing well.

What is extrinsic motivation?

Motivation driven by external rewards.

Examples of extrinsic motivation

Trophies, money, medals or social recognition.

How do sport psychologists help athletes with anxiety?

They help athletes cope with intense pressure and reduce anxiety or burnout.

Ways to reduce anxiety

Relaxation techniques, changing negative thoughts, building self-confidence, and finding distractions.

What is arousal?

The level of activation and alertness experienced by an athlete.

What does the Yerkes-Dodson Law show?

Performance improves as arousal increases up to an optimal level, then decreases if arousal becomes too high.

Why is balance in arousal important?

Too little or too much arousal can reduce performance.

High arousal responses

High heart rate and breathing, nausea and vomiting, tunnel vision, impulsive decisions, and aggressive over-reactions to mistakes or calls.

Ways to increase arousal

Prioritising sleep, listening to music, following a pre-competition routine, reaction tests, light exercise, and team talks.

Low arousal responses

Sluggish or heavy movements, low energy or sleepiness, poor coordination, slow reaction times, difficulty focusing, and underestimating opponents or situations.

Ways to decrease arousal

Imagery, positive self-talk to reduce stress, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing exercises.