SPORTS PSYCHOLOGYUnit 10

FIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL PHASES – VIDEO CLIP

FIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL PHASES

Denial – Athletes commonly deny the seriousness of the condition “Nothing is really wrong” “This can’ happen to me”

FIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL PHASES

Anger – Athletes often become angry with themselves, those around them, & everything in general “Why me?” “What did I do wrong?” “It’s not fair”

May lose interest in rehab

FIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL PHASES

Bargaining – Athlete becomes aware of real nature of injury & begins to have doubts about situation – leads to bargaining Pressure on therapy staff to “work miracles”

FIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL PHASES

Depression – Athlete becomes aware of the nature of the injury & recovery time, depression may set it.

FIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL PHASES

Acceptance – Athlete becomes resigned to situation. Applies maximal effort to rehab Accepts limitations & focuses on getting back to

participation.

ATHLETES WHO DENY PAIN OR LOSS OF FUNCTION

Some athletes can tolerate high levels of pain

They think it is to their advantage not to acknowledge pain or an injury

Fear they will lose playing time if coaches, trainers know they are hurt.

ATHLETES WHO VIEW INJURY AS A SOURCE OF RELIEF

An injury can provide a socially acceptable reason to avoid the pressure to succeed.

If an athletes can’t compete because of an injury, they can’t fail.

GOALS

Allows for long & short term motivation Enables athletes to track progress Raises self-confidence Makes it easier for athletes to separate what

is important Help organize the quality of daily training Should be:

Written down Positive Associated with a reward

PERFORMANCE GOALS

Achieving individual skills or behavior Allows athlete to set goals over things they

have control of More effective

OUTCOME GOALS

Directed towards the end result Usually based on the reward of winning Athletes generally have little or no control over

other competitors, which affect outcome goals Can increase pressure the athlete feels to be

the best

SMART GOALS

How to write goals that will increase an athlete’s chance of achieving the goal

Specific – well defined – what, why, how Measurable – how to know the goal is

achieved (times, distances, measurements) Adjustable – can change goal as needed Realistic – the goal is something the athlete

is willing to work for and is able to accomplish

Time – should have a time frame for completing the goal

FOCUSED BREATHING

Can help reduce stress & anxiety Slow rhythmic paced breathing In through the nose, out through the mouth Belly breathing – extend the belly instead of

the chest rising.

PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION

Reduce stress by learning to relax Systematically tense and relax muscles

throughout the body Most common progressions run from toes to

head or head to toes Let the tension dissolve, let go of the tension,

let the tension flow out of the body

VISUAL IMAGERY - DEFINITION

Imagining a specific environment or performing a specific acitivity

VISUAL IMAGERY GENERAL GUIDELINES

Imagine performing skills very well & successful

Use as many senses as possible: sight, hearing, touch, smell, & kinesthetics

Internal & external perspectives should be used

Athletes should control their mental images, making sure they see themselves perform as they want to.

IMAGERY, REHABILITATION, & HEALING

Imagination of athletes can greatly influence their response to an injury

Athletes can control their visual images to direct aid in rehab and healing

Imagine injured tissue healing Mentally practice returning to activity and

regaining full movement

IMAGERY & IMPROVING PERFORMANCE

Athletes “see” themselves being successful & achieving goals

Perform skills at high levels Seeing desired performance outcomes Complete a mental run through of the

performance Mange energy levels Refocus Evaluate performance

STALENESS

Definition – loss of vigor, initiative, & successful performance, may be the beginning of burnout

Influences: Long seasons Monotony High levels of stress Poor eating habits Rewards are minimum

BURNOUT

Definition – state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion where an individual has their abilities to cope with minor daily frustrations decreased and their ability to cope with major problems paralyzed

Characterized by loss of motivation and interest

INTERVENTIONS TO TREAT STALENESS/BURNOUT

Remove from activity Take time off Athlete have more control Decrease emotional demands Avoid repetition Sufficient attention to complaints & small

injuries Supportive & caring environment