Mental health and performance in elite tennis players
Elite athletes often grapple with keeping their mental health in check while striving for peak performance. Digging into the experiences of Swedish elite tennis players and exploring how they manage this up and down balancing act of mental health and performance throughout their careers shows the importance of support from sports psychologists.
Children’s swimming education
Aquatic safety is important, especially for youth looking to play water-based sport. Children’s swimming education programs have demonstrated significant improvements in aquatic readiness and motor coordination through assessments conducted before and after sessions. Children who focused on basic skills development exhibit enhanced aquatic competence, underscoring the value of personalized swimming instruction.
Motivating players though the pre-game talk
In team sports, the pre-game talk is a pivotal moment intended to motivate players before they step onto the pitch. According to recent research, coaches who balance game strategy with messages that support athletes’ autonomy (for example, facilitating athlete choice or opinions) and competence (for example, praising past performance) can enhance player motivation.
The evolving role of coaches in athlete mental health
A coach’s influence In recent years, the mental health of athletes has garnered significant attention, both on and off the global stage. With young athletes and parents talking more openly about mental health, coaches are now finding themselves at the forefront of this discussion by being held responsible for recognizing and addressing mental health issues…
Putting mental health and performance at the heart of athlete development
Many different factors need to be considered to provide optimal development experiences for athletes. The supports and skills needed to promote lifelong sport engagement and the potential to achieve high performance go beyond the physical and sport-specific. In fact, the knowledge, attitudes, attributes and skills that promote athletes’ mental performance, mental health, relationship quality, and…
Putting mental health and performance at the heart of athlete development
Many different factors need to be considered to provide optimal development experiences for athletes. The supports and skills needed to promote lifelong sport engagement and the potential to achieve high performance go beyond the physical and sport-specific. In fact, the knowledge, attitudes, attributes and skills that promote athletes’ mental performance, mental health, relationship quality, and…
Body composition in sport
Athletes’ body composition results from a mix of genetics, sport demands, diet, and training. Metrics like fat and muscle mass play a significant role in athlete health and performance, influencing factors such as injury risk and recovery.
Social support in disability sport
Social support, for example, from coaches and teammates, has many benefits for athletes with disabilities. Research shows that athletes with disabilities with greater support systems have higher levels of engagement in their sports and are better able to deal with adversity. With that in mind, it is important to prioritize supportive environments in disability sports.