Case study: a mental coaching program for a high jumper
Nässi, Anu (2011)
HAAGA-HELIA ammattikorkeakoulu
2011
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2011060310828
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2011060310828
Tiivistelmä
The main focus of the thesis is based around a psychological skills training program which was introduced to a nationally ranked Finnish high jumper. The case study explores the process of designing this program and its impact on the competition results of this particular athlete. The goal was that the intervention would positively affect performance preparation and thus improve competition results.
Previous research in this field suggests that the use of well structured psychological skills training programs and interventions result in better performance results. In addition, almost all elite athletes use some kind of mental training exercises. This suggests that psychological skills training is a key element to achieving success at the top level.
The thesis covers the steps leading up to the implementation of this psychological skills training program and clearly describes the overall process. Data was collected both before and after the program in the form of competition results. The pre-intervention results where then compared with the post-intervention results to determine the impact of the program.
The results suggest that the athlete’s competitiveness did infact improve as a result of the psychological skills training program. In addition, due to the athlete’s feedback, the program was considered to be a success.
Previous research in this field suggests that the use of well structured psychological skills training programs and interventions result in better performance results. In addition, almost all elite athletes use some kind of mental training exercises. This suggests that psychological skills training is a key element to achieving success at the top level.
The thesis covers the steps leading up to the implementation of this psychological skills training program and clearly describes the overall process. Data was collected both before and after the program in the form of competition results. The pre-intervention results where then compared with the post-intervention results to determine the impact of the program.
The results suggest that the athlete’s competitiveness did infact improve as a result of the psychological skills training program. In addition, due to the athlete’s feedback, the program was considered to be a success.