Psychological training for athletes 'key to sports success', new research reveals
TOP sportsmen and women need psychological training as well as physical exercise, say experts.
The advice comes as research reveals competition nerves can adversely affect how athletes perform.
Scientists subjected 18 fit and healthy young adults to two identical physical tests, one described as a practice session and the other a competition.
In the “competitive” trials, participants’ ability to anticipate and co-ordinate actions such as catching a ball or striking a moving object were significantly impaired.
At the same time, their mental anxiety levels were raised when they believed they were competing.
Anxiety really does affect performance abilities in physically active people – and the same is likely to apply even for trained athletes
Detrimental effects were not evident during practice trials.
The findings back the view of sports coaches who believe increased stress holds back athletes.
Lead researcher Dr Michael Duncan, of Coventry university, said: “Anxiety really does affect performance abilities in physically active people – and the same is likely to apply even for trained athletes.”
The research is being presented to the British Psychological Society, in Birmingham.