Patrick’s Mental Skills’ Dilemma
The reason for differential view of mental and physical skills is that they perform different roles, developing mental skills can help athletes adapt to training and competition. Participation in sport can lead to the evolution and improvement of an assortment of mental skills. These mental skills are usually viewed as serving one function—the enhancement of performance. In additional to helping athletes enhance performance, acquiring an arsenal of mental skills can increase the enjoyment of participation and positively affect the quality of life in areas outside sports (Abernethy, 2005).
Other myths One myth says that mental training is only for elite athletes. While it is true that many of the top athletes in the world do engage in mental training, athletes of all ages and levels can benefit from enhancing their ability to control their mind. Whether they are building confidence, increasing concentration, or controlling their anxiety, athletes of all ages and abilities can use a variety of all ages and abilities can use a variety of mental training techniques both in sport and in life.
Another common myth is that mental training is only for athletes with problems. On the contrary, mental training is most effective when it is used to prevent performance problems from occurring rather than to provide a quick fix to a performance slump (Wright & Winter, 2009). The similarity in mental and physical training is that they both focus at physical abilities improvement. Mental training focuses on the positive aspect of an athlete’s mental performances, physical abilities, and preparation skills (Porter, 2003).
Just like physical, using mental strategies, you can gain more control over what happens during important competitions by being completely prepared in mind, body, and spirit. References Abernethy, B. (2005). The biophysical foundations of human movement. North Shore: Human Kinetics. Porter, K. (2003). The mental athlete. Champaign: Human Kinetics. Wright, V. & Winter, R. (2009). Fitness After 40: How to Stay Strong at Any Age. New York: AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn.
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