Quote of the week

"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way."

-Babe Ruth

More athlete quotes

Mental Health of Athletes

Injuries can be damaging to any career in athletics, no matter the level. Typically, the extent of the damage of the injury depends on the mental strength of the athlete, the strength of their support circle, and the nature of the injury itself, to name a few. Typically, athletes who are completely absorbed in their “athletic self”, with little or no sense of self outside sports, are harmed the worst. Check out the link below to read more about the impact of an injury on a Los Angeles high school quarterback.

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Visualization key in cross country

Visualization, the process of seeing with the minds eye an event before it occurs, has always been important in the field of sport psychology. Recent coaching tactics educating athletes in visualization techniques from Santa Clara University’s cross country team have proven effective in improving performance. SCU coaches, through guided meditation, guide their runners through the course the day before a race. “The visualizations work because they make me more comfortable with the course. When I get to the starting line the day of the race, I will feel like I've run the course several times because I've already been there in my head," said Shannon Bell, a first-team all-WCC runner.

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Who knew? Performance psychology in auto racing

Sometimes, it is said that there is little to NASCAR besides a group of fast cars turning left for a few hours. However, this is not true at all, as proved in a recent motorsport.com interview with Jeff Gordon regarding performance psychology in car racing. Gordon revealed that elements common to other mainstream sports such as teamwork, pressure of competition, and practice are just as essential to an auto racing team as a football one. In regards to the benefits of a performance psychologist to a NASCAR team, Gordon said “It is hard to take 60 or 80 guys with different personalities and blend them together. That is a real challenge…I don't think it is a bad idea, to analyze it and understand it better and to have each individual understand it.” Gordon also touched on pressure to perform from fans and sponsors and the psychological effect it may have on a racer.

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Discussion of Dick Pound's Speech at the Association for Applied Sport Psychology Conference

Dick Pound, chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency, addressed the Association for Applied Sports Psychology earlier this month, touching on subjects ranging from conventional doping to the possibilities of genetic manipulation among athletes. Pound claimed that the rash of recent high-profile doping scandals is proof that the problem is getting worse throughout athletics. Some recent examples include Barry Bonds, Tim Montgomery, Justin Gatlin, and multiple Tour de France 2006 riders. Pound is not without controversy, however – called a zealot by some, his resignation has been called for by Lance Armstrong and the chairman of the International Cycling Union, among others.

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Welcome to SPINw's E-News blog! Visit this site for exciting news updates from sports around the northwest and advances in the practice and research of sports psychology! Also check for updates on upcoming events including seminars, presentations, and teaching clinics.