scholarly journals A Qualitative Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Mental Skills Training Program for Youth Athletes

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee-Ann Sharp ◽  
Charlotte Woodcock ◽  
Mark J.G. Holland ◽  
Jennifer Cumming ◽  
Joan L. Duda
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Service ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Male Youth ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Youth Athletes

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of a mental skills training (MST) program for male youth elite rugby athletes. Three focus groups were held with 21 under-16 male rugby athletes and four male coaches involved in the MST program to examine the quality of service delivery, athlete responses to the MST program, the mental qualities used by athletes, and its perceived influence on athlete performance. Following inductive-deductive content analysis, 40 subcategories and 16 categories emerged. Participants believed the MST program to be an interactive, well-planned program that increased athlete understanding of MST methods and awareness of MST strategies to manage rugby performance. Athletes thought it important that their coaches develop a greater knowledge and understanding of MST methods. Finally, athletes perceived the MST skills and methods they learnt through the MST program were transferable to other sports and areas of their life outside of rugby (e.g., school).

scholarly journals Mental Qualities and Employed Mental Techniques of Young Elite Team Sport Athletes

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J.G. Holland ◽  
Charlotte Woodcock ◽  
Jennifer Cumming ◽  
Joan L. Duda
Keyword(s):  
Skills Training ◽  
Team Sport ◽  
Attentional Focus ◽  
Male Youth ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
Personal Performance ◽  
Action Taking ◽  
Mental Techniques ◽  
Rugby Players

Research on the psychological characteristics of elite performers has primarily focused on Olympic and World champions; however, the mental attributes of young developing and talented athletes have received less attention. Addressing this, the current study had two aims: (a) to examine the perceptions held by youth athletes regarding the mental qualities they need to facilitate their development and (b) to investigate the mental techniques used by these athletes. Forty-three male youth rugby players participated in a series of focus groups. Inductive content analysis revealed 11 categories of psychological qualities, including enjoyment, responsibility, adaptability, squad spirit, self-aware learner, determination, confidence, optimal performance state, game sense, attentional focus, and mental toughness. Techniques employed included personal performance strategies, refection on action, taking advantage of a supportive climate, and team-based strategies. Findings are discussed in relation to their implications for mental skills training program development and evaluation in the case of youth elite team sport athletes.

Mental Skills Training to Improve Soldier Performance: Development and Implementation

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernie Holliday ◽  
Louis Csoka ◽  
Coreen Harada ◽  
Jon Hammermeister ◽  
Michael A. Pickering ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skills Training ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Performance Development

How Does Sport Psychology Actually Improve Athletic Performance? A Framework to Facilitate Athletes’ and Coaches’ Understanding

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 386-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris J. Gee
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Athletic Performance ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Athletic Competition ◽  
The Past ◽  
Physiology And Biochemistry ◽  
Sport Psychologist

The popularity of sport psychology, both as an academic discipline and an applied practice, has grown substantially over the past two decades. Few within the realm of competitive athletics would argue with the importance of being mentally prepared prior to an athletic competition as well as the need to maintain that particular mindset during a competitive contest. Nevertheless, recent research has shown that many athletes, coaches, and sporting administrators are still quite reluctant to seek out the services of a qualified sport psychologist, even if they believe it could help. One of the primary reasons for this hesitation appears to be a lack of understanding about the process and the mechanisms by which these mental skills affect performance. Unlike the “harder sciences” of sport physiology and biochemistry where athletes can see the tangible results in themselves or other athletes (e.g., he or she lifted weights, developed larger muscles, and is now stronger/faster as a result), the unfamiliar and often esoteric nature of sport psychology appears to be impeding a large number of athletes from soliciting these important services. As such, the purpose of this article is to provide the reader with a simple framework depicting how mental skills training translates into improved within-competition performance. This framework is intended to help bridge the general “understanding gap” that is currently being reported by a large number of athletes and coaches, while also helping sport psychology practitioners sell their valuable services to individual athletes and teams.

scholarly journals Les joueurs sans problème de jeu de 55 ans et plus : événements, conséquences et caractéristiques structurelles et environnementales influençant les habitudes de jeu

2016 ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Isabelle Giroux ◽  
Francine Ferland ◽  
Cathy Savard ◽  
Christian Jacques ◽  
Priscilla Brochu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Gambling Problems ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
The Individual

Gambling habits of people aged 55 years and over without gambling problems are rarely being investigated. In order to document life events and to identify the impacts of gambling on quality of life, 19 participants aged 55 to 74 years without gambling problems, male and female, were assembled in three focus groups. Qualitative content analysis of the groups reveals changes in gambling habits associated with transition to retirement and occurrence of health problems. The content analysis further reveals a variety of positive and negative consequences of gambling habits on finances, hobbies, social relationships, and psychological health. Although the focus groups did not target the structural or environmental characteristics of gambling that influence participants' gambling habits, those themes were brought up spontaneously. Results highlight the necessity to study life events from a larger perspective including, for example, protective and risk factors, in order to better understand the life contexts and the individual characteristics that may lead to an alteration or not of gambling habits.

Mental Skills

2021 ◽  
pp. 61-75
Author(s):  
Dave Collins ◽  
Hugh Richards
Keyword(s):  
Skills Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Professional Judgment ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Normative Expectations ◽  
Level Of Experience ◽  
Special Circumstances ◽  
The Impact

This chapter considers issues in optimizing the impact and efficacy of mental skills training (MST). Balancing MST focus between performance, well-being, and character development is essential and requires data-driven case conceptualization. Effective professional judgment and decision-making underpins development of effective MST, enabling consideration of aspects such as timing, sequencing, and periodization, which determine the optimum “blend” of intervention techniques and delivery. Three interacting factors underpin effective application of MST. Relevant performer characteristics (e.g., gender, age, maturity) and special circumstances (injury, retirement) interact with practitioner characteristics such as level of experience, specific training, and preference/expertise with certain skills. Interactions are also influenced by cultural/contextual factors, from normative expectations of service delivery to contractual conditions and geographical locations (online/remote). The actual benefit of mental skills can only be realized when the provider both comprehends how to plan and deliver effectively and can navigate influential factors appropriately.

Biofeedback Training: Enhancing Athletic Performance

Biofeedback ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 101-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Blumenstein ◽  
Yitzhak Weinstein
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Performance ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Biofeedback Training ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Training Process ◽  
Successful Performance ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Vital Component ◽  
Conceptual Paper

During the last three decades, mental skills training of athletes has become widely accepted as an important factor in sport and a vital component of successful performance of top athletes. Biofeedback training (BFT) is a key element/tool of a complex multifaceted treatment/training program aimed at enhancing athletic performance. The main purpose of this conceptual paper is to illustrate the successful integration of the Wingate 5-Step Approach to training programs that are based on a periodization principle. This integration is targeted at the development of both physical and mental skills to optimize and enhance the effectiveness of the mental training process. Examples derived from our experiences are illustrated and discussed.

The Creation of a Mental Skills Training Program in Elite Youth Tennis: A Coach-Driven Approach to Developing Resilient, Confident Competitors

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-81
Author(s):  
E. Earlynn Lauer ◽  
Mark Lerman ◽  
Rebecca A. Zakrajsek ◽  
Larry Lauer
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Training Program ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Self Talk ◽  
Strength And Conditioning Coach

In this paper, we describe the development and content of a mental skills training (MST) program and how a strength and conditioning coach/certified mental coach delivered this program within a United States Tennis Association (USTA) Player Development (PD) program. The purpose of the MST program was to create resilient, confident youth tennis competitors. Specific mental strategies (i.e., journaling, routines, breathing, imagery, self-talk) were identified to best meet the objectives of the MST program and were delivered using a three-pronged approach: (a) classroom lessons, (b) strength and conditioning sessions and on-court lessons, and (c) homework assignments. Specific ways that the USTA PD coaches reinforced the use of these strategies during tennis practice are described. Recommendations for coaches to integrate an MST program in high-performance youth sport environments are also provided.

scholarly journals Mental skills training limits the decay in operative technical skill under stressful conditions: Results of a multisite, randomized controlled study

Surgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 165 (6) ◽  
pp. 1059-1064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas E. Anton ◽  
Tomoko Mizota ◽  
Jake A. Whiteside ◽  
Erinn M. Myers ◽  
Eric A. Bean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skills Training ◽  
Technical Skill ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Randomized Controlled
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