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Psychology in sport held a very active role in preparation and during the Commonwealth games in Manchester 2002. When it comes to athletes who compete in such a prestigious and competitive event, sport psychology in all its facets becomes a huge burden to face. If the athlete can stay calm composed and remain competitive in such an event then this can be of profound help.
Concentrating on the individual, psychology asks many questions, such as why do people continue to participate despite pain? Why do people continue to be successful? Why do people try to improve there skills, in other words, what motivates people? Such areas as the personality, self-confidence and the attitude of an athlete may help answer these questions.
Motivation is seen to have two aspects, firstly it drives us to achieve something (it stimulates our behaviour) and secondly it makes us do particular things (it directs our behaviour). In a study motivation, Maslow (1954) argues that we are all faced with a hierarchy of needs. This works around the idea of once you satisfy one need the next need becomes the focus of the person in question. Participation in the Commonwealth Games gives each athlete an opportunity to fulfil these needs; in other words it offers a direction for the fulfilment of needs. The graph below should help explain.
Progression
E.g. Long Distance Runner
Self Actualisation 1. Participation in CWG
Esteem Needs 2. Successful Performance
Social Needs 3. Ma...
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...ht be and how we might be successful in changing the attitude. In doing this we can clearly see how the role of sport psychology in preparation of the Commonwealth Games may be of clear relevance.
As we can see from the above information and examples it is clear to see that if a competitor wants to be successful, he/she must prepare both physically and perhaps more importantly psychologically if he or she wants to flourish at the highest level. Through the use of sport psychologists it can perhaps help an athletes aims and aspirations within the sporting world, become a reality.
The Reference List
* Cox, R. H. (2002). Sport Psychology: Concepts and Applications. (5th Ed.). McGraw-Hill
Sharkly, B.J. (1979) Physiology of Fitness: Champaigne, IL: Human Kinetics
Whitehead, N. (1988) Conditioning for Sport. Yorkshire: Dodd & Gordon.