Consulting on the Run: Performance Psychology and the Preparation of USA Track and Field Athletes for the Olympics

Portenga, Steve; Aoyagi, Mark W.; Statler, Traci A.

doi:10.1080/21520704.2012.683087

Cited by 15 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…Portenga et al, 2012), and creating a coach, athlete, and psychologist triad (see also Samulski & Lopes, 2008), practitioners should be aware of any potential barriers that might be encountered if they wish to be effective within these multidisciplinary teams. In addition to the programme funding, scheduling, and time barriers identified by Gould et al (1989), one noteworthy barrier that was highlighted in this study was a lack of engagement from staff with the sport psychology service.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Haberl & McCann, 2012;Hodge & Hermansson, 2007; PREPARING ATHLETES AND TEAMS FOR THE OLYMPICS 5 Samulski & Lopes, 2008) or sports (see e.g. Galloway, 2007;Portenga, Aoyagi, & Statler, 2012;Vernacchia & Henschen, 2008). To advance knowledge in this area, a more holistic approach is needed so that developing practitioners have access to-and can utilise-a comprehensive evidence-base.…”

Section: Preparing Athletes and Teams For The Olympics 4 In A Particumentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the sport psychology literature has greatly increased our best-practice knowledge of the most effective ways to psychologically prepare athletes and teams for the Olympic Games, the research to date has typically relied on individual consultant's reports Aoyagi, & Statler, 2012;Vernacchia & Henschen, 2008). To advance knowledge in this area, a more holistic approach is needed so that developing practitioners have access to-and can utilise-a comprehensive evidence-base.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Preparing athletes and teams for the Olympic Games: Experiences and lessons learned from the world's best sport psychologists

Arnold

Sarkar

2014

International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology

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As part of an increased effort to understand the most effective ways to psychologically prepare athletes and teams for Olympic competition, a number of sport psychology consultants have offered best-practice insights into working in this context. These individual reports have typically comprised anecdotal reflections of working with particular sports or countries; therefore, a more holistic approach is needed so that developing practitioners can have access to -and utilise -a comprehensive evidence-base. The purpose of this paper is to provide a panel-type article, which offers lessons and advice for the next generation of aspiring practitioners on preparing athletes and teams for the Olympic Games from some of the world's most recognised and experienced sport psychologists. The sample comprised 15 sport psychology practitioners who, collectively, have accumulated over 200 years of firsthand experience preparing athletes and/or teams from a range of nations for six summer and five winter Olympic Games. Interviews with the participants revealed 28 main themes and 5 categories: Olympic stressors, success and failure lessons, top tips for neophyte practitioners, differences within one's own consulting work, and multidisciplinary consulting. It is hoped that the findings of this study can help the next generation of sport psychologists better face the realities of Olympic consultancy and plan their own professional development so that, ultimately, their aspirations to be the world's best can become a reality. Winning an Olympic gold medal is typically recognised as the ultimate accolade of a successful athletic career and arguably the most demanding challenge an athlete can pursue (Fletcher & Sarkar, 2012;Gould, Dieffenbach, & Moffett, 2002). This is, in part, due to the unique occurrence of the Olympics which takes place only once every four years. It is this infrequency of the event, combined with its magnitude and the globalisation of the sport industry, that ensures worldwide interest in and fascination with athletes' performances. This intense scrutiny, however, brings with it enormous pressure and only those who can manage the stress that accompanies sport at this level will be successful. It is no surprise, then, that there has been an increased effort to understand the most effective ways to psychologically prepare athletes and teams for Olympic competition (see e.g. Gould & Maynard, 2009).Over the past three decades, there has been a growth in the number of sport psychologists helping athletes and teams prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Furthermore, research on the individual consultants has provided insight into different philosophies when working with Olympic athletes and teams, including an educational mental skills approach (Halliwell, 1989), a broad spectrum systems theory approach (May & Brown, 1989), and a preventative medicine model approach (Murphy & Ferrante, 1989).Although the sport psychology literature has greatly increased our best-practice knowledge of the most effective w...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Preparing Athletes and Teams For The Olympics 4 In A Particumentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Preparing athletes and teams for the Olympic Games: Experiences and lessons learned from the world's best sport psychologists

Arnold

Sarkar

2014

International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology

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“…The frequent full team meetings became a promising way of developing team cohesion with a sport-by-sport model and as an individual personalised model of psychological support. When this is coupled with travelling to events and having valuable consultancy time with teams and individuals, one can construct a contextual model of psychological support as opposed to the 'just visiting' model of psychological support that exists in many domains (Friesen & Orlick, 2010;Portenga, Aoyagi, & Statler, 2012) and this can further promote observation and analysis on the cultural, social and contextual Reflective Practice 683 environments of each sport in a competitive environment. This extends to how one constructs knowledge, interpretation and provision as the context from training to competition to social differs quite significantly amongst Paralympic athletes, and this is a factor when considering the type of provision and support a psychologist provides.…”

Section: Team Ethosmentioning

confidence: 98%

A psychological framework for developing success: from 5 to 16 in four years

Ringland¹

2013

Reflective Practice

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The Taoiseach Enda Kenny (2012) said the Irish Paralympic team's achievements in recent years have been 'a great source of pride and inspiration'. This paper investigates the underlying psychological factors for this success by looking at the many positives from Beijing to London, a narrative account from a medal winner pre-Games, and some autoethnographic recommendations for building a framework for developing psychological success in Ireland within the Paralympic context for Rio 2016. The data gathered have been taken from using autoethnographic multiple methods over a seven-year timeframe from psychological post-Games reports to individual consultations and focus groups between athletes, coaches and support and performance personnel. Positive future developments for Rio ranged from specific planning to visual identity and team culture, while the improvements centred on interpersonal conflict, attempting to build trust within sports and the Paralympic team as well as structuring three distinct timeframes into the cycle (pre-, during and post). Recommendations include providing contextual time for the sport science and medical personnel, empowering athletes and sports to take responsibility for themselves and providing team building opportunities during the lead up to the 2016 Games.

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“…Accordingly, and following the experience-based contributions of others (e.g., Harberl & Peterson, 2006;Haberl & McCann, 2012;Hodge & Hermansson, 2007;Samulski & Lopes, 2008;Galloway, 2007;Portenga, Aoyagi, & Statler, 2012;Vernacchia & Henschen, 2008), we therefore take a reflective rather than investigative approach to share a framework that, for us, has helped to manage the Olympic challenge.…”

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confidence: 99%

The P⁷approach to the Olympic challenge: Sharing a practical framework for mission preparation and execution

Collins

Cruickshank

2014

International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology

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The Olympic Games represent the biggest and third biggest sporting occasions in the world (Summer and Winter respectively). As such, dealing with the various challenges and optimizing performance at this event has been an important dual focus for team leaders, coaches, performers, and their supporting sport psychologists. In this paper, we share an organizational approach to planning and preparation that, in our experience, provides an effective setup for athletes, coaches, and support teams alike. Specifically, this presented framework enables the focused tasking of support staff and resources to address both individual and specific challenges. To illuminate the route via which this approach delivers its impact, underpinning mechanisms, advantages, and other considerations are also presented.

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Consulting on the Run: Performance Psychology and the Preparation of USA Track and Field Athletes for the Olympics

Cited by 15 publications

References 14 publications

Preparing athletes and teams for the Olympic Games: Experiences and lessons learned from the world's best sport psychologists

Preparing athletes and teams for the Olympic Games: Experiences and lessons learned from the world's best sport psychologists

A psychological framework for developing success: from 5 to 16 in four years

The P⁷approach to the Olympic challenge: Sharing a practical framework for mission preparation and execution

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Consulting on the Run: Performance Psychology and the Preparation of USA Track and Field Athletes for the Olympics

Cited by 15 publications

References 14 publications

Preparing athletes and teams for the Olympic Games: Experiences and lessons learned from the world's best sport psychologists

Preparing athletes and teams for the Olympic Games: Experiences and lessons learned from the world's best sport psychologists

A psychological framework for developing success: from 5 to 16 in four years

The P7approach to the Olympic challenge: Sharing a practical framework for mission preparation and execution

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

The P⁷approach to the Olympic challenge: Sharing a practical framework for mission preparation and execution