Abstract This paper presents a detailed discussion about the benefits of sportspsychology for athletes and their lives and performance. The author takes us on a tour of what an athlete endures as he perfects his craft and moves toward the top. We are given examples as well as ideas regarding the needs of an athlete and his psyche.
Tags:SPORTS / HEALTH (MEDICINE, PSYCHOLOGY), psyche for athletes
Abstract This seven-page undergraduate paper discusses sportspsychology. Sportspsychology uses science to study the psychological factors that involve the training and performance of athletes and the various techniques that can be used to enhance their performances. It helps athletes to set effective and easily achievable short-term goals at the right level. It also teaches athletes to build self-confidence through goal setting. Sportspsychology uses imaging and simulation to enhance technique building in athletes. Flow and Focus are other sportspsychology techniques used to bring about exemplary athletes.
Abstract The science of sportspsychology rests uncomfortably between pure science, theory and hype. But, as athletes make their way up successive levels from amateur to semi-professional, from pro to world- class, the physical aspects of the game stay the same. The paper shows that an athlete can only digest so much nutrition, burn so many calories in the weight room and endure a relatively fixed amount of physical training before ready to perform at a peak level. The hypothesis is that the factor which separates one level of athlete from the next, and what often prevents an athlete with much "potential" from reaching his or her goals is the mental game. The paper shows that, although this idea sounds simple, at upper levels of performance the athlete's own body can become one of the opponents on the playing field which must also be conquered. Toward this end, the "science" of sportspsychology, including hypnosis, self hypnosis, guided imagery and bio-feedback have come into the sports marketplace in the last 30 years, and have proven that at the levels of performance which test the athletes total ability, conquering the mind game is the cornerstone to victory on the playing field.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
History
SportsPsychology and Hypnosis
Desire: the First Requirement
Hypnosis, Self Hypnosis, Biofeedback
Examples of Biofeedback
Guided Imagery
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "An associative attentional focus concentrates one's awareness on bodily states, self-perceptions, and pacing or rhythm related to an activity. Conversely, a dissociative attentional focus or distraction diverts attention away from bodily self-awareness and self-perceptions and towards external stimuli or factors not related to an activity (e.g., words of a song, other people exercising). Studies have found conflicting results as to whether association or dissociation is a more effective strategy for improving performance."
Abstract This paper investigates the general field of sportspsychology in order to provide the reader with a brief yet comprehension of many of the key factors that comprise this intriguing area of sociology and psychology. This paper investigates the elements of motivation, visualization, training, burnout, and relaxation through sports as a means of creating a general understanding of sportspsychology as a whole.
Abstract In counseling or coaching injured athletes, far more than their physical condition must be taken into account. Coaches and other counselors are charged, as well, with attending to the psychological, mental and even spiritual needs of the athlete. Because of this, there are ethical issues inherent in the coaching or counseling relationship. The paper explains that for such reasons, the American Counseling Association and the Association for the Advancement of Applied SportPsychology have both put into place codes of ethics that can be used to help prevent abusive counseling/coaching relationships with injured athletes. The paper assesses how coaches and counselors can best assist injured athletes and avoid conflict of interest or other unethical considerations, by looking at the requirements of each code.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Ethics and Standards
American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
Ethical Principles and Standards of the Association for the Advancement of Applied SportPsychology Conclusion
References
From the Paper "While one researcher noted that coaches were prone to act unethically in sending injured players back to the game too soon, it appears more likely that any ethical dilemmas facing athletes and coaches/counselors revolve around coaches failing to understand fully the injuries they might have to deal with regularly, and also failing to exercise the compassion the students in the Sherman study and other expressed a need for. The fact that coaches were seen, in one study, as distant makes it all the more important that we change our minds about what constitutes ethical dilemmas."
Abstract This study shows that psychological training for these adolescent girls is important and has a positive effect on them, not only in competitive swimming, but in other athletic endeavors and in the rest of their lives as well.
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Research Questions or Hypotheses
Assumptions and Limitations
Rationale for the Study
Summary of the Study
Chapter Two
Review of Related Literature
Chapter Three
Methodology
Research Questions and Hypotheses
Population and Sample
Data Collection Method
Database for the Study
Chapter Four
Data Analysis
Chapter Five
Summary, Recommendations, and Conclusions
Works Cited
From the Paper "How well adolescents perform in competitive swimming is related to many factors. One of these is how much self-efficacy they have, another is the involvement that the parents have in the child's life, and another is the skill that these children display. All of these things work together to build self-confidence and psychological skills begin to develop from this. Not all children develop these psychological skills, and whether these skills are available has much to do with the physical prowess that these children display. There are concerns about whether physical skills bring psychological confidence, or whether psychological confidence helps to bring out the physical skills that these children have. Either way, both are very important to the children and how well they do at competitive swimming and other activities."
Abstract This paper deals with psychology in sports training. The author asserts that performance in sports is significantly influenced by a variety of psychological factors, such as poor associations with memories of failure or self-confidence. As a result, the paper explains, many sports trainers now employ a variety of psychological aspects of sports training, such as visualizations, relaxation techniques, motivational strategies, and substance abuse management. The paper discusses at length the idea of self-talk and visualization and how these techniques can help athletes achieve better results in their given sport.
From the Paper "Mental imagery has to be practiced by individuals in their own way and depends on individual preferences and the circumstances under which it is adopted. The imagery can be practiced either on or off the field. These can be for a short duration, or a long duration; while sitting up or lying down; in complete silence or with a background of music; and with the eyes closed or open. It is the choice of the individual. For games like tennis which go on for some time, this may be done by the player even while the game is on but the ball is not in play. The player can visualize where he or she wanted to hit the ball, or even practice it, without the ball. When a player is in a quiet room before an important game, he should engage himself or herself in an exercise of visualization for the game ahead. To be able to do this, the players should be relaxed and receptive as that will also help the images to penetrate deep inside their minds. It is important that visualization is repeated - about two or three times a week. (The Effects of Mental Imagery on Athletic Performance)"
This nine-page paper looks at the career of the sports psychologist, discussing aspects such as organizations that utilize the need for this type of person, discussing the skills, competencies, and training required,
2,150 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 6 sources, 2002, $ 80.95
Abstract This nine-page paper looks at the career of the sports psychologist, discussing aspects such as organizations that utilize the need for this type of person, discussing the skills, competencies, and training required, looking at salaries, the importance of such work and also provides an example of one such association that does have a use for a sports psychologist.
Tags:SPORTS / HEALTH (MEDICINE, PSYCHOLOGY), sports psychologist
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to discuss strategies in cognitive psychology relevant to sports psychology. These are strategies that motivate an athlete to achieve success in sports. Cognitive psychology is based on the discovery that certain kinds of thoughts, called automatic thoughts, lead to the production of many emotions. Some people refer to this as the ABCs of emotion. For example, an activating event will bring about a belief system, and this, in turn, will have an emotional consequence. Cognitive psychology seeks to recognize this automatic thought and find a more positive response, thus ending the negative belief system.
Once considered a form of psychic voodoo, sports psychology is rapidly becoming an integral part of nearly every elite athlete's normal training routine (Allman, 1992, p. 50). The new..."
Abstract The sociology of sport is a sub-division of sociology that studies sport as an aspect of cultural and social life. The paper shows that it may at first seem frivolous to study the sociology of sport, because sport in general may not be seen as a suitable topic for academia. However, it is argued that sport is an extremely important part of our cultural and social life, and that there are many good reasons for studying the sociology of sport.
Abstract This paper discusses sports in the 1960's. Citing the examples set by Presidents Kennedy, Nixon, and Eisenhower, the entire world of sports in America is examined, including the Olympics, the affect of racism, the major historical issues of the time and how they affected sports, the growth in popularity of professional sports, and the role of the television and radio.
Tags:SPORTS / POLITICAL ISSUES (INTERNATIONAL, OLYMPICS, DRUG TESTING), sports in 1960's
Abstract This paper examines the relationship between violence and sports. The paper first asserts that violence in sports is culturally agreeable and goal oriented. The paper then explores recreational violence, including hunting. Next the paper studies how sports legitimize violence and the relationship between sports, violence and masculinity. The paper concludes by studying the effect on male-female relationships of violence in sports.
From the Paper "This research paper addresses the topic of how violence in sports affects our lives. The following relevant areas are presented..."
Abstract This paper discusses the tremendous growth of participation in amateur athletic events over the past few decades in terms of their scope, power and economic status and that in the United States alone, amateur athletics involve the lives and athletic experiences of people from their childhood through high school and college and beyond. This paper also discusses how high school and college sports are one of the most popular and important aspects of academic life today and that the camaraderie and fellowship that can emerge among sports players can possibly last a lifetime. The focus of this paper is on a disturbing trend towards violence in sports that has emerged in recent years. While injuries and mishaps can reasonably be expected to take place in any sporting event, there is frequently a fine distinction between intimidating tactics and violence that can result in serious injuries on the sporting field.
From the Paper "While violence in collegiate sports has received much attention in recent years, a less publicized problem also exists. College athletes are highly popular figures on campus and in communities, but they are being unfairly treated in terms of how they are compensated for their efforts. While the performance of these student athletes on the field or court provides millions of dollars in revenue for universities, these students receive only their scholarships (usually comprised of tuition, room, and board), but no spending money. Furthermore, under current NCAA regulations, these student athletes are prohibited from even working part-time during the season. "Athletes have been caught trying to make money by getting loans from coaches and advisers," the author says, "selling the shoes and other gear they get as team members, taking allowances from agents, and getting paid for no-show summer jobs provided by jock-sniffing alumni--all violations of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules" (38). "
Tags: non, sporting, events, athletes, students, teams, coaches, drugs
Abstract This five page undergraduate paper examines sports medicine, which has been an increasingly popular field of study in recent years due to the major role that sports plays in American culture. The writer discusses that millions of people are drawn to the drama and intensely competitive nature of sports, and tens of thousands of them choose to combine their interest in sports with their interests in health and medicine by pursuing careers in sports medicine.
From the Paper "Sports medicine has been an increasingly popular field of study in recent years, due to the major role that sports play in American culture. Millions of people are drawn to the drama and intensely competitive nature of sports, and tens of thousands of them choose to combine their interest in sports with their interests in health and medicine by pursuing careers in sports medicine. Sports medicine as a profession can be expected to keep expanding in the foreseeable future, so job prospects and opportunities are bright for graduates with degrees in sports medicine."
Abstract This is a persuasive paper that tackles the idea that sports has become simply a marketing agent and a business game rather than a sport that promotes competition, values and respect. The author argues that sport has recently been transformed to a commercial mechanism whereby the media promotes ideals of heroes and contribute to the ideals of falsity and corruption. Sports has become a commodity and a marketing tool and a money orientated idea. Includes an analysis of the statement by Tyler Cowen ?we run the danger that commercially successful heroes induce dangerous forms of mimesis and fail to help citizens coordinate around noble ideas.?
From the Paper "Thesis: The marketing of sports has become a business where players make more money marketing the products than playing the game. Sports heroes are then, no longer promoting the ideals of competition and values, rather through the commercialization of the team and player they are contributing falsity to a society already chaotic. "
Tags:sport, monet, comodity, conumer, marketing, business, hero, social