Basics of SPORT PSYCHOLOGY Chapter 24

Sport Psychology ATCs and athletes are beginning to understand physical considerations are not the only important factors in sport, injury, and rehabilitation.

Sport Psychology DEFINITION „The primary scientific study of the behavioral, affective, and cognitive reaction to sport settings... .“ (Wann, 1997)

Sport Psychologist In general, sport psychologists try to help athletes to enhance their performance by improving their mental well-being.

Some of their many roles are: Research: better understand how different variables affect individuals Educate coaches, athletes, & ATCs on basic psychological techniques that may contribute to enhanced performance Working directly w/athletes helping them cope w/stresses & improve athletic performance.

Sport Psychology Many ATCs have become very proficient in caring for injured athletes from a physical standpoint.

Sport Psychology They need to be aware that athletic injury often brings along psychological problems, which not only inhibit performance but also proper recovery.

Sport Psychology In order for an ATC to care for the „whole athlete“, he/she needs to have a clear understanding of the psychology of his/her athletes.

Conditions that might inhibit the recovery process or maybe even create an issue: Anxiety Depression / Suicidal Tendencies Post Traumatic Response or PTSD

Anxiety Athletes placed under a lot of pressure In addition to every day stresses that are considered „normal“ to everybody, athletes must also cope with the expectations of coaches, teammates, and spectators regarding their athletic performance.

Anxiety Some athletes can‘t cope with this additional stress and even though they perform well in practices; they „choke“ during game-time when the pressure is on.

Anxiety Many times this „choking“ is related to performance anxiety. Psychological practices can help remedy this issue.

Depression Feeling of despair or hopelessness Theories about causes include: Biological (genetic) predisposition Environment (traumatic childhood) Sociological factors (Being cut from a team, not performing well)

Depression Signs and Symptoms include: Hopelessness, sleeps a lot Lack of appetite Susceptibility to colds & other illnesses Impaired concentration

Depression In light, and temporary cases the ATC might be able to intervene with an athlete‘s feeling of hopelessness.

Depression In severe and chronic cases the ATC needs to know whom he can refer the athlete to get him help. Psychological practices can remedy this too.

Post Traumatic Response Is a sustained emotional disorder that stems from a very traumatic and stressful experience.

Post Traumatic Response Think of an Example: An individual suffering from post traumatic stress might sleep a lot, refrain from eating, and avoid situations that are similar to the one that caused the response.

Suicidal Tendencies An individual attempting suicide has usually experienced a stressful event and is also suffering from depression.

Warning signs may include: Recent loss (death in the family, broken relationship,...) Depression Anxiety Statements indicating the wish to die Family history of suicide Lack of support Change in eating and sleeping patterns

Suicidal Tendencies This is a serious problem that only a trained psychologist should counsel. If suicidal thoughts are detected in an athlete, the ATC should refer him/her to a school counselor or psychologist.

Dealing with the Death of an Athlete The death of an athlete is a tragic event, whether it happens on the playing field or not.

It can leave coaches, players, and parents with a devastating loss. An athlete who needs to talk about the loss of a peer may confide in the ATC who holds a position of help and trust.

The Injured Athlete The 5 Stage Model of Grief developed by Kübler-Ross (1969) can be used to understand the psychology of an injured athlete.

These stages represent the emotional responses an athlete might experience after sustaining an injury (injury = loss). The stages are: 1. Denial 2. Anger 3. Bargaining 4. Depression 5. Acceptance

The Injured Athlete While many athletes will progress through these stages in sequence, it is important to keep in mind that every individual is different and some may exhibit these stages out of order.

1. Denial It is not uncommon for an athlete who has just been injured to deny the fact that something might be seriously wrong with him.

He might make unrealistic statements such as trying to convince himself and the ATC or coach that he is fine and can go on, even though it is obvious that he can‘t.

2. Anger Once the athlete realizes that the injury is real, he might become very angry. Many times this anger is directed toward the nearest person (usually the ATC)

3. Bargaining Once the anger has diminished, the athlete may begin to bargain with the ATC, coach, team physician, God, and even himself.

He will attempt to make a deal, such as „If I get to finish this quarter I will do all the rehab necessary until my ankle is healed. When limits are set with the injured athlete, he might go into depression.

4. Depression Depression presents a challenge for the ATC. Injured athletes who are depressed often don‘t comply with their rehabilitation.

It is important to educate the athlete about his injury and the rehabilitation plan. In addition, the ATC needs to be supportive, motivational, and understanding to get the athlete to comply with the treatment plan.

5. Acceptance The athlete finally accepts the fact of being injured The athlete has finally realized what it takes to get back to normal.

Return to Sport Many athletes become anxious when it comes time to return to participation To assure a safe return, the ATC must develop a progressive rehab program Simple - complex to build confidence

Whenever possible, help athlete to maintain contact with team, so s/he doesn‘t feel isolated.

Basic Interventions Some simple interventions (Psychological Techniques) can help an athlete cope with anxiety and athletic injury

Modeling The athlete has a successfully rehabilitated athlete with the same or a similar injury to observe Takes away the fear of not knowing what to expect or of not being able to return to pre-injury levels of activity Usually strong motivator to be dedicated and work hard at rehabilitation

Modeling Positive influence of ATC is another aspect of modeling Cheerful and helpful

Relaxation Techniques Helping athletes relax has been recognized as a way to help them alleviate stress and cope with the demands of sport and sport injury There are many different ways in which to relax

Dependent on individual Examples: Relaxing breathing Imagery Muscle relaxation

Imagery Also known as visualization, mental training, or mental rehearsal Can be used to alleviate stress, reduce pain, or to improve performance An athlete pictures himself successfully completing a game

Lets try it!

Imagery Get into a comfortable position in a quiet environment. Create a motion picture in your mind of performing a task perfectly. (This could be a tennis match, a music concert, or a speech you have to give.) You are the writer, actor, producer, and director all at once. Write down your impressions.

Let’s try one more

Progressive Muscle Relaxation One of the most common methods used to help athletes relax

The routine consists of a series of muscle contractions and relaxations A muscle group is contracted at 100% effort for about 5 sec and then relaxed for about 45 sec. The same muscle group is then contracted at 50 % followed by another rest period. Finally, the muscle group is gently contracted for 5 sec and then rests.

The athlete should also concentrate on rhythmical, smooth breathing while he works himself through his body.

Project Get into partners Choose a Psychology technique from the cup. Make a brochure to advertise your technique DO NOT cut and paste from the internet – this will deduct points from your project Use pictures when you can We will use your brochure to show this technique to the rest of the class Power Point, Word document, poster board are all acceptable This is due one week from today.