The main focus for athletes and their coaches is mainly competition day, hence the emphasis and holistic support that is generated particularly around such events. However, what many fail to realise is that athletes need ongoing and consistent psychological support.
It takes a huge amount of psychological strength for an athlete to pursue several hours of repetitive training daily, in preparation for a competition. Therefore, while the focus is generally on physical ability, the mind plays an equally important role.
Furthermore, we know that emotions play a significant part in sport performance. Emotions can either hinder or spur an athlete, especially an elite one, where performance is pushed to the ultimate limits.
My dissertation and its findings submitted this year entitled “Using Psychological Tools to Improve Sport Performance,” sheds light on this matter.