The 2024 Paris Olympics are in full swing. Besides enhancing their physical abilities, athletes from various countries participating in the games also utilize various psychological strategies to increase their chances of winning or to overcome a slump. Let’s take a look at what the experts have to say.
Mike McGreary, a senior lecturer in sports and exercise psychology at Keele University in the UK, wrote on The Conversation website that psychology plays a crucial role in the success or failure of athletes at this summer’s Paris Olympics, regardless of the competition they are participating in.
In a highly competitive environment where even minor errors can cost athletes medals, how do they use psychological principles to control their thoughts and perform under pressure? McGreary pointed out several key aspects:
McGreary emphasized the importance for athletes to recover from disappointing performances or setbacks such as injuries.
Resilience is not a fixed trait but a dynamic process that develops through the interaction of individual characteristics (such as personality and psychological skills) and the environment (such as the social support athletes receive).
A study conducted in the UK examined the psychological resilience of Olympic champions. The research showed that certain psychological factors help protect athletes from potential negative stress arising from their participation in the Olympics.
These psychological factors include positive personality traits, motivation, confidence, focus, and a sense of having social support, all of which can enhance athletes’ resilience and optimize their performance.
Social support means athletes do not have to feel like they are fighting alone. If they can rally family, friends, and coaches to form a strong network, such a support system can provide them with additional emotional strength and motivation.
McGreary wrote that being present in the moment can help athletes avoid feeling overwhelmed by the importance of the competition or expending energy, as well as prevent distractions caused by past failures or high expectations for medals.
Athletes can use various strategies to help them stay present. For example, mindfulness-based meditation and breathing exercises can help them feel calm and focused, while visualization can be used to practice specific movements, such as a basketball player visualizing free throw techniques.
Similarly, many athletes engage in thorough pre-competition routines to create a sense of normalcy and control. For example, a tennis player might bounce the ball a certain number of times before serving.
By focusing on the present moment, athletes can reduce anxiety, maintain focus on the game, and fully experience the atmosphere of the competition.
McGreary mentioned that for athletes, failure can be devastating. The relationship between athletes and success can be complex.
For instance, some athletes may experience post-Olympic depression, characterized by feelings of emptiness, loss of self-worth, and even despondency, regardless of whether they win medals.
While Olympic athletes may achieve championship titles, like everyone else, they still need to prioritize basic elements of life to enhance their mental health, such as getting adequate sleep and rest. A study conducted in Australia in 2020 highlighted the relationship between maintaining mental health and improving athletic performance.
Therefore, Olympic athletes must work closely with support personnel such as nutritionists to ensure their diet is balanced, meets the physical demands of the competition, and promotes overall well-being.
Throughout their Olympic preparations, they also collaborate with sports psychologists to address any challenges they may encounter.
If athletes start experiencing anxiety before the Olympics, they may engage in mindfulness or cognitive restructuring exercises to help them become aware of and change negative thought patterns.
By safeguarding their mental health, they have the best chance of performing at their peak during the Olympics and avoiding depression after the games end.