In a research done by Jackson and Finch’s demonstrated that skaters had more stress after winning that before. The skaters identified the sources of stress from expectations, relationship issues, psychological demands, the pressure to perform and environmental requirements. After the analysis, they determined the following coping strategies to be used by elite athletes.
The first strategy is positive focus and orientation which includes self-talk and positive thinking. Half of the skaters when they faced physiological or physical demands and stressors they applied self-talk and rational thought changing to healthy behaviors, healthy eating attitudes, and anxiety management. They also used relaxation to calm their mind and concentrate on one task.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Another strategy is time management which involves dedicating enough time for personal growth, and time for attaining daily tasks and goals (Rotella, Gansneder & Billing, 1980). An athlete who practices on regular bases may find themselves unable to manage other activities in work, personal life and school. The athlete should be conscious of time so that they can balance all their activities.
Social support is another strategy that can be applied to support athletes which range from a clinical psychologist, support from friends and family, and support from the coach. The psychological support helps the athletes to cope up with anxiety. Psychologist produces useful sports psychology guidelines to give athlete best opportunities for succeeding.
Mental management and precompetitive psychological planning is another coping strategy that athletes apply. This plan focusses on continuous learning and mastery of skills(Rotella, Gansneder & Billing, 1980). To ensure continuous learning psychologist and athletes work side by side. A standard level ground has to be created, and the psychologist provides that in every session athletes have developed a positive mental state.
Another strategy is training hard and training smart which involve continuous muscle relaxation that helps to lower anxiety levels in athletes. Through training, there is decrease competitive anxiety thereby increasing athletes performance. Training also smart aid the athletes to avoid overtraining syndrome.
The major problem experienced by athletes being pressure and anxiety leading to stress. The athletes experience stress both from competitors and non-competitors. Stress management should be appropriately addressed by sports psychologist to improve athletes performance and also manage their anxiety.
Reference
Rotella, R. J.A, Gansneder, B.T., Ojala, D., & Billing, J. (1980). Cognitions and coping strategies of the elite skiers: An exploratory study of young developing athletes. Journal of Sports Psychology , 2 (4), 350-354.
