Psychological Aspects of Peak Athletic Performance

1
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF PEAK PERFORMANCE
Part III
2
PRACTICE DOES NOT MAKE PERFECT

• Only Perfect Practice results in performance
  that approaches perfection

3
PERFECT PRACTICE

• The Theater of your Mind is the only place where
  consistent, perfect practice is possible

4
" ...the tapes and mental training helped me to
be more relaxed and cut 24 hours off my previous
personal best time. Rob Kish, Ultra-marathon
CyclistRace Across America Winner 1992, '94
'95Transcontinental Record ( 8 days3 hr11 min
)
5
COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING

• Thoughts
• Emotions
• Performance

6
BASIC COMPONENTS

1. Goal Setting
2. Affirmations Positive Self-Talk
3. Thought-Stopping
4. Process Thinking

7
AFFIRMATION

• A brief, realistic and positive statement that
  validates, supports and affirms the achievement
  of a goal

8
POSITIVE SELF-TALK

• Allowing only positive self-statements to be
  repeatedly transmitted

9
THOUGHT-STOPPING

1. Say Stop!
2. Take a deep, relaxing breath
3. Say a Positive Affirmation
4. Take a break if possible

10
PROCESS THINKING

• Concentrating attention on the Process of
  performing well
• (Technique, Strategy, Tactics, etc)

11
AS THE START TIME APPROACHES

• Concentration should be increasingly focused on
  Process and away from Outcome

12
POSITIVE VS. NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

• In general, positive thoughts lead to good
  performance and negative thoughts lead to poor
  performance

13
"When you're on the PGA tour, the difference
between winning and missing the cut is all in
your head. Mind Games helps give me the mental
edge which allowed me to have my best year
yet! Kirk TriplettPGA Tour Winner
14
Many elements of the process of mental training
utilize the power of suggestion.
15
PHENOMENA OF SUGGESTION

• The Uncritical Acceptance of an Idea

16
VERBAL SUGGESTION

• Information transmitted by sounds and words.

17
NONVERBAL SUGGESTION

• Gestures and grimaces without sound

18
INTRAVERBAL SUGGESTION

• The modulation of the voice

19
EXTRAVERBAL SUGGESTION

• The implication of words or phrases

20
LAW OF CONCENTRATED ATTENTION

• Whenever attention is concentrated on an idea
  over and over again, the idea tends to
  spontaneously realize itself

21
LAW OF REVERSED EFFECT

• The harder one tries to do something, the less
  chance one has for success

22
LAW OF DOMINANT EFFECT

• A strong emotion tends to replace a weaker one

23
"I have learned to appreciate the importance of
mental training for ski racing. I can not train
as hard or as often as some of my competitors.
This has lead me to hone the mental skills
required to focus on the process, not the
outcome." Kay Ptashne, Masters Racer1998 USSA
Masters NationalsGold Medal, Combined
24
PERFORMING AT YOUR BEST

• Peak Performance is no Accident

25
PEAK PERFORMANCE IS THE RESULT OF

1. Physical Preparation
2. Dietary and Nutritional Preparation
3. Mental Preparation

26
A BASIC MENTAL TRAINING PROGRAM

1. Voluntary Relaxation
2. Mental Rehearsal
3. Cognitive Restructuring
4. Log or Journal Keeping
5. Regular Practice and Assessment

27
IN THE STARTING GATE

• Establish a Mental Routine to follow when in the
  starting gate and follow that routine at every
  start

28
Soon after beginning the program in 1996 I
made a huge breakthrough in my race results, and
I continue to use the tapes and affirmations
before important races."Mike White, Nordic
RacerTeam Member, National Relay Champions, 2000
29
For more information please contact Dr. Beale at

• PO Box 715
• Kailua, HI 96734-0715
• 808.261.1833
• http//www.drrelax.com
• http//www.doctorrelax.com
• gabeale_at_drrelax.com