Sports psychology is widely accepted as offering a crucial edge over competitors. And, while essential for continuing high performance in elite athletes, it also provides insights into optimising areas of our lives beyond sports, at home, in a team, and even in the business world.

Sports psychology is the study of how psychological factors influence performance. Sports psychologists help athletes utilise psychology to improve their sports performance and mental well-being. They don't just work with elite and professional athletes, however. They also help regular people learn how to enjoy sports and learn to stick to an exercise program. They utilise exercise and athletics to enhance people’s lives and well-being.

Topics in Sports Psychology

Contemporary sports psychology is a diverse field. There are a number of different topics that are of special interest to sports psychologists. Some professionals focus on a specific area, while others study a wide range of techniques.

Attentional Focus

Attentional focus involves the ability to tune out distractions, such as a crowd of screaming fans, and focus attention on the task at hand. This allows athletes to manage their mental focus even in the face of other things that are vying for attention.

Visualisation and Goal-Setting

This involves visualising performing a task, such as participating in an athletic event or successfully performing a particular skill. This area of sports psychology is centred on helping athletes mentally prepare for a performance or competition.

Motivation and Team-Building

Some sports psychologists work with professional athletes and coaches to improve performance and increase motivation. A major subject in sports psychology, the study of motivation looks at both extrinsic and intrinsic motivators. Extrinsic motivators are external rewards, such as trophies, money, medals, or social recognition. Intrinsic motivators arise from within, such as a personal desire to win or the sense of pride that comes from performing a skill.

Anxiety

Professional sports psychologists often help athletes cope with the intense pressure that comes from competition. This often involves finding ways to reduce performance anxiety and combat burnout.

It isn't uncommon for athletes to get nervous before a game, performance, or competition. These nerves can have an impact on performance, so learning tactics to help stay calm are important for helping athletes perform their best.

Tactics that might be the focus of this area include things like relaxation techniques, changing negative thoughts, building self-confidence, and findings distractions to reduce the focus on anxiety.

Burnout can also happen to athletes who frequently experience pressure, anxiety, and intense practice schedules. Helping athletes restore their sense of balance, learn to relax, and keep up their motivation can help combat these feelings of burnout.

Rehab

Another important focus of sports psychology is on helping athletes recover and return to their sport after an injury. A sports injury can lead people to experience emotional reactions in addition to their physical injury, which can include feelings of anger, frustration, hopelessness, and fear.

Sports psychologists work with people to help them mentally cope with the recovery process and restore their confidence once they are ready to return to their sport.