ATHLETE OF THE MIND

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Competitive sport places both physical and mental demands on the athlete. In training and competition, the body is demanded to push physical limits of endurance, power, speed, agility, strength. Similarly, the mind is demanded to push mental barriers, such as self regulation, focus, clarity, composure, mental endurance, determination. Being a top performer in any sport today requires a combination of physical skills/fitness, technical skills, tactical readiness, and mental skills/fitness.

 

Throughout an athlete’s lifespan, there is a major focus on physical and technical development; however, when pressure mounts, it is often the mental skills/fitness factor that can have the biggest impact on performance outcomes. A leading researcher asserts that most athletes and coaches acknowledge that 40 to 90 percent of success in high-performance sports is accounted for by mental factors, especially at elite levels of competition. 

 

Consequently, an athlete must develop & strengthen mental skills/fitness early on and throughout their long-term development for sustained performance.

 

Mental skills & fitness are a dynamic phenomena, not a stand alone or a fixed outcome. It is in constant flux and development throughout an athlete’s life cycle in sync with their physical, technical & tactical developments. Although athletes can reach high levels of mental fitness as they progress through the long-term development stages, their mental capabilities will constantly be challenged as the demands, conditions, and pressures they face continue to change.

 

In some of the sports science researches, mental fitness refers to an athlete’s ability to optimally regulate thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and act in a purposeful and consistent manner while coping with the many demands placed on them. In our view, inclusive of the abilities, research points us, the true aim of developing mental skills/fitness is to - 

 

• Develop necessary self & environmental awareness to maximize performance.

• Engage in quality training.

• Access optimal & peak performance states.

• Maintain a healthy level of mental well-being.

• Utilise learnt skills through their entire life span.