Sport Psychology Interventions

Question 1

What are Typical issues relating to SP Interventions? (5)

Answer 1

• Competitive/performance anxiety
• Confidence
• Performance problems
• Problems with coach or other athletes
• Group dynamics

Question 2

What are more Serious Issues relating to SP Interventions?

Answer 2

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Eating disorders
• Substance abuse
• Addiction
• Abuse

Question 3

What are Types of psychological skills? (6)

Answer 3

• Goal setting
• Imagery
• Relaxation and energizing techniques (arousal control)
• Self-talk
• Mindfulness
• Self-compassion

Question 4

What are Psychological Skills used for?

Answer 4

• Psychological skills may be used to improve athletic performance beyond physical training or increase enjoyment/satisfaction
• Psychological skills can enhance performance, but are not a substitute for physical training

Question 5

What are the 3 three distinct phases of Psychological Skills Training?

Answer 5

1. Education Phase
2. Acquisition Phase
3. Practice Phase

Question 6

Psychological Skills Training

What is the Education Phase?

Answer 6

Athletes recognize importance of mental skills and performance impact.

Question 7

Psychological Skills Training

What is the Acquisition Phase?

Answer 7

Athletes acquire various psychological skills and learn to employ them

Question 8

Psychological Skills Training

What is the Practice Phase?

Answer 8

Implement skills in practice and competition.

Question 9

Education Phase: Assessment

What does the athlete need?
Assessment: Performance Profile

Answer 9

– Inventories, interviews, observations

Question 10

What are the steps in the Acquisition Phase?

Answer 10

• Prioritize only a few skills at a time
• Teach skills based on needs identified
• Practice skills in environment that optimizes basic skill learning
  – May be away from the sport context, low stress
  environment etc.

Question 11

What are three components of the Practice Phase?

Answer 11

• Simulate situations where skills will be used
• Over-learn/automate skills
• Integrate skills into performance

Question 12

Practice Phase

What does it mean to Simulate situations where skills will be used?

Answer 12

In practice, simulated competitions, before competitions

Question 13

Practice Phase

What does it mean to Over-learn/automate skills?

Answer 13

Use in practice situations frequently so that new skills become the automatic response

Question 14

Practice Phase

What does it mean to Integrate skills into performance?

Answer 14

• Once skills mastered in practice, use in competition
• Caution: trying new skills initially in performance environments

Question 15

What are Common problems implementing psychological skills training?

Answer 15

Lack of conviction

• Not wanting to do something new
• Not convinced that this will help

Lack of time

• Priorities
• Integrating psychological skills training into practice time

Question 16

What are Strong mental skills that need to be improved?

Answer 16

• Focus
• Motivation
• Preparation skills
• Emotional control
• Performance

Question 17

Important to Note!

Sport psychology interventions depend on RELATIONSHIPS, which means what?

Answer 17

• Sport psychology interventions work best if a strong relationship between athlete and practitioner is developed over extended periods of time
• Sport psychology ‘interventions’ work best if they’re incorporated into daily practice – they should be part of athletes’ regular approach to training and competition