Mental Training for Sports and Exercise is primarily concerned with the specific psychological factors that directly influence participation in sports and exercise and identifies intervention strategies that can help improve overall success. It focuses directly on specific mental training techniques used to increase performance. Mental Training for Sports and Exercise addresses issues such as motivation, confidence, dealing with anxiety/pressure, and staying focused. It teaches you how to recognize these elements in sports and exercise and places them under your control.
Specific techniques used include goal setting, visualization/mental imagery, positive self-talk/ affirmations, emotional control, and relaxation/breathing. These techniques are designed to assist the athlete in establishing ideal thoughts, emotions, and images for increased performance in sports and exercise.
A sports performance counselor is a person who counsels and teaches mental training for sports and exercise. The counselor shares their own knowledge about the emotional struggles many people face when training and exercising and then directs that knowledge toward constructive outcomes. Techniques and coping strategies needed to improve performance are taught to athletes along with the development of coping strategies to address sports related injury.
Each month we will review techniques used in Mental Training for Sports and Exercise and how they can be applied specifically to running and walking.
*Mark Jagos LMSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, sports performance counselor, and personal consultant who has participated in numerous marathons and local races and counsels athletes in Mental Training for Sports and Exercise. To schedule an appointment please call 810-624-7631.
