Sport Psychological Skills Training and Psychological Well-being in Youth Athletes

Sport Psychological Skills Training and Psychological Well-being in Youth Athletes
Author: David John Edwards
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2013
Genre:
ISBN:

In sport, psychological skills training is as important as physical training. Psychological skills training (PST) package programs aim to train a variety of psychological skills simultaneously. While extensively utilized overseas, PST programs are seldomly conducted with South African elite sportspeople and are generally not available to local youth athletes. Furthermore, the impact of PST programs on life and general health and the related components of biological, psychological, social and spiritual well-being has been typically neglected, with research in this regard minimal or non-existent. For example, before this thesis, the impact of PST on the core health component of psychological well-being had not been evaluated, nor had the conceptual and/or empirical relationship between psychological skills and psychological well-being been investigated. Although PST is often conducted individually because of its specific and personal nature, group training should not be overlooked especially in South Africa where communal living is a way of life and community interventions are an important part of health promotion. The value of broad base PST programs is that they train psychological skills as life skills thus aiding overall biopsychosocialculturalspiritual development. With these considerations in mind a triangulated design involving individual, group and community interventions, as well as elite and expert case studies was utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of a PST program and to investigate the relationship between psychological skills and psychological well-being. Results based on quantitative and qualitative outcome and process measurements indicated general improvement in psychological skills, psychological well-being and sporting performance. Psychological skills and psychological well-being were found to be interrelated concepts, with overlapping components. Recommendations for ongoing and future research at individual, group and community level are made.

Advancements in Mental Skills Training

Advancements in Mental Skills Training
Author: Maurizio Bertollo
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2020-07-22
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0429655835

Advancements in Mental Skills Training presents contemporary evidence-based intervention approaches from leading sport psychology researchers and practitioners. The book comprehensively examines the use of mental skills training for athletic performance and well-being from a cross-cultural perspective. It begins by introducing theoretical advancements related to mental toughness, cultural factors, performance optimisation and mindfulness. It goes on to examine the technological advancements related to mental skills training, outlining how mobile technologies can be used to measure and train perceptual-cognitive skills, and the effectiveness of virtual reality in mental training. The book concludes by discussing emerging topics, such as how sports psychology can incorporate spirituality, minority groups in sport and the impact of prejudice, and referee career development. This insightful text introduces the potential for sport psychology to be integrated into our daily functioning and provides strategies for athletes to optimize their performance and bolster their mental health. It will be an essential read for all sport psychology researchers as well as professionals working in the field.

Sport Psychology for Young Athletes

Sport Psychology for Young Athletes
Author: Camilla J. Knight
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 528
Release: 2017-10-02
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1134820356

Understanding and applying psychology within youth sport settings is key to maximising young athletes’ enjoyment, wellbeing, and sporting performance. Written by a team of leading international researcher-practitioners, this book is the first to offer an evidence-based introduction to the theory and practice of sport psychology for children and young athletes. It provides practical strategies and guidance for those working in or researching youth sport, demonstrating how to integrate sport psychology effectively in a variety of youth sport contexts. With real-life case studies that demonstrate psychological theory put into practice, it discusses a wide spectrum of issues faced by young athletes and recommends the best approaches to addressing them. Key topics covered include: the cognitive, social, and physical development of young athletes optimising fun, motivation, and self-confidence enhancing young athletes’ relationships with coaches, parents, and peers managing stress, injuries, and transitions effectively developing talent and long-term engagement in sport encouraging organisational culture change. The most up-to-date and authoritative guide to sport psychology for young people, this is essential reading for anyone working in youth sport.

Train Your Mind for Athletic Success

Train Your Mind for Athletic Success
Author: Jim Taylor, PhD
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 297
Release: 2017-10-06
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1442277092

Much too often, the mental aspect of sport performance is overlooked. While all top athletes are in outstanding physical condition and technically exceptional, mental preparation is often what separates the best from the rest. This is just as true for young athletes as it is for pros and Olympians. And even though relatively few athletes will ever reach the top of their sport, the attitudes and life lessons learned from mental training—such as motivation, confidence, focus, perseverance, and resilience—will serve them well in all aspects of their lives. In Train Your Mind for Athletic Success: Mental Preparation to Achieve Your Sports Goals, Dr. Jim Taylor uses his own elite athletic experience and decades of working with some of the world’s best athletes to provide competitors of every ability with insights, practical exercises, and tools they can use to be mentally prepared when it really counts. His Prime Sport System explores the attitudes that lay the foundation for athletic success, the mental obstacles that can hold athletes back, the preparations they must take, the mental muscles they should strengthen, and the mental tools they need to fine tune their competitive performances. Most importantly, Dr. Taylor shows athletes practical strategies they can use to become mentally strong so they can perform their best when it matters most. Train Your Mind for Athletic Success goes well beyond the typical mental skills that are discussed in other mental training books. Readers will not only learn why mental preparation is so important to athletic success, but also where they personally are in each area thanks to brief mental assessments in each section of the book. In addition, each chapter includes exercises to show athletes how to incorporate mental training directly into their overall sport training regimen. The most comprehensive and in-depth book on mental preparation for athletes available, Train Your Mind for Athletic Success is an essential read for athletes, coaches, and parents.

Parenting Young Athletes

Parenting Young Athletes
Author: Frank L. Smoll
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Total Pages: 230
Release: 2012-08-09
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 1442218223

Parenting Young Athletes tells readers exactly how to enhance the well-being of their children, both on and off the athletic field/court. The latest information on child development, sport psychology, and sports medicine is translated into a practical “how-to” guide that assists parents in assuring their sons and daughters get the most out of youth sports. The authors, seasoned experts in the field, thoughtfully address a wide range of issues including: Promoting achievement in all areas of life Choosing the right sport program Understanding the unique nutritional needs of young athletes Identifying, treating, and preventing sport injuries Helping children cope with disappointment and performance anxiety Applying positive principles of coaching and character-building Addressing the special concerns of high school athletes Recognizing and preventing bullying and abuse Growing together as a family through sports Engagingly written, Parenting Young Athletes is targeted at parents of youngsters from elementary through high school years. Geared toward parents who have relatively little athletic experience as well as those who have a strong background in sports, the book provides clear recommendations with enlightening examples and real stories of growth-promoting sport experiences. Key concepts and principles are highlighted throughout. Parenting Young Athletes explores the joys as well as the dangers of sport participation and is a must-read for parents who hope to raise champions in sports and in life.

The Champion's Mind

The Champion's Mind
Author: Jim Afremow
Publisher: Rodale Books
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2015-05-15
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1623361494

Even among the most elite performers, certain athletes stand out as a cut above the rest, able to outperform in clutch, game-deciding moments. These athletes prove that raw athletic ability doesn't necessarily translate to a superior on-field experience—its the mental game that matters most. Sports participation—from the recreational to the collegiate Division I level—is at an all-time high. While the caliber of their games may differ, athletes at every level have one thing in common: the desire to excel. In The Champion's Mind, sports psychologist Jim Afremow, PhD, offers the same advice he uses with Olympians, Heisman Trophy winners, and professional athletes, including: • How to get in a "zone," thrive on a team, and stay humble • How to progress within a sport and sustain long-term excellence • Customizable pre-performance routines to hit full power when the gun goes off or the puck is dropped With hundreds of useful tips, breakthrough science, and cutting-edge workouts from the world's top trainers, The Champion's Mind will help you shape your body to ensure a longer, healthier, happier lifetime.

Mental Health and Well-being Interventions in Sport

Mental Health and Well-being Interventions in Sport
Author: Gavin Breslin
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 154
Release: 2019-01-14
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1351375709

Mental health within elite sport has traditionally been ignored, but recent research has shown that competitive sport can at times seriously undermine mental health and that athletes are exposed to specific stressors that hinder their mental health optimisation. Mental Health and Well-being Interventions in Sport provides an indispensable guide for researchers and practitioners wanting to understand and implement sport-based intervention processes. This important book adopts an evidenced based approach, discussing the context of the intervention, its design and implementation, and its evaluation and legacy. With cases on depression, eating disorders, and athletic burnout, the book is designed to provide practitioners, policy makers and researchers with a cutting-edge overview of the key issues involved in this burgeoning area, while also including cases on how sport itself has been used as a method to improve mental health. Written for newcomers and established practitioners alike, the text is an essential read for researchers and practitioners in better understanding the sport setting-based intervention processes through presenting current research, theory and practice, applicable in a variety of sports settings and contexts.

Playing in the Box: A Practical Guide for Helping Athletes Develop Their Mental Game

Playing in the Box: A Practical Guide for Helping Athletes Develop Their Mental Game
Author: Dr Pete Temple
Publisher: Lioncrest Publishing
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2019-03-07
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 9781544512792

Athletes work hard in practice, putting in the time and the grind, but when it comes to game time, sometimes they miss the mark. They know they're capable of more-and their coaches and trainers know it, too-but when the lights are on them, and the pressure rises, they often underperform. The truth is, physical training is only one part of any athlete's game. The mental game is just as important, yet in young athletes, mindset is almost never a focus in development and practice-and it's costing them results.In Playing in the Box, renowned sports psychologist Dr. Pete Temple describes how young athletes can use simple mental exercises to relax, improve, and achieve their goals on and off the field or court. If you've ever struggled in competition, Dr. Temple's practical approach will help you develop confidence, drive, and resilience, so you can bounce back from setbacks, relax when the game gets tense, and reach your full potential.

Sport Psychological Interventions in Competitive Sports

Sport Psychological Interventions in Competitive Sports
Author: Jürgen Beckmann
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2015-02-27
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1443875902

Sport psychological training, an important part of athletes’ preparation, can give them the final edge in competition. This book provides a systematic structure for conducting sport psychological interventions that can be followed not only by sport psychologists, but also by athletes and coaches. The authors describe sport psychological measures that are based on scientific knowledge and have proven to be valuable in their applied work. The book is divided into two main parts. Part 1 presents the basic structure for sport psychological interventions and Part 2 focuses on concrete interventions and training measures. Part 1 further addresses the importance of personality factors for sports performance, illustrates how an athlete’s personality development can be enhanced, gives basic knowledge about diagnostic tools, and discusses talent selection. The second part of the book describes basic training, which focuses mainly on relaxation techniques, as well as skills training, essential for the stabilisation of athletic performance. Maintaining a balanced recovery-stress state is particularly important for the avoidance of overtraining. The book illustrates how athletes’ stress and recovery levels can be monitored in order to prevent overtraining. Part 2 further addresses how critical situations in an athlete’s career (including, for example, conflicts, career termination, and injuries) are to be handled, presenting various impact interventions, including clinical hypnosis. The final chapter of the book presents a mental toolbox, giving the practitioner an overview that will help to quickly identify a problem, its possible causes, and solutions.