Question

State what is meant by sport pyschology, and describe how sports pyschologists might help an athlete who is experiencing anxiety

Answer 1

While coaches typically focus on the physical side of the sport, Sports psychologists focus on athletes' minds. Sports psychologists can help athletes — professionals and amateurs alike — achieve their goals.

Some athletes seek help from a sports psychologist or other exercise and sports psychology professional when they have a problem. They might become anxious or lose focus during a competition, for example.

They might have trouble communicating with teammates, controlling their temper or even just motivating themselves to exercise. Or they might choke at key moments during a game.

Sports psychology can even help people off the playing field. The same strategies that sport psychologists teach athletes — relaxation techniques, mental rehearsals and cognitive restructuring, for example — are also useful in the workplace and other settings.