EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR ENDURANCE ATHLETES
Research shows that the most successful endurance athletes are not only physically prepared, but have developed the right mental approach too. In this section, you’ll find psychological tools and strategies to help maximise your training efficiency and race performances.
in Coping with emotions, Endurance psychology
Dr Josephine Perry explains how athletes can harness pre-race tension to enhance their racing performance It’s race morning and an early start. You’re finding breakfast difficult to swallow because thousands of butterflies appear to have taken up residence in your stomach. This is a common feeling for many of us. But rather than dread these... MORE
in Coping with emotions, Endurance health and lifestyle, Endurance psychology
Dr Adam Nicholls looks at the latest research on avoiding burnout and provides you with practical strategies to keep you mentally and physically fresh MORE
How yoga and motivation exercises boost performance Mental preparation for competition is an increasingly important factor in athletes’ training, but there has been very little field research on how the various preparation strategies affect different types of athletic performance. Now a new US study has shown that yoga and motivational exercises can both boost one-mile... MORE
When it comes to doing your best, it’s the thoughts that count When it comes to running – or any other endurance sport – your mind can be your biggest asset or your worst enemy. Enjoying your training and achieving your best performances is not simply down to physical conditioning: your mental states and, particularly,... MORE
Ergogenic aids How turning on and tuning in can boost your motivation and aid your workout. Any serious athlete recognises the importance of regular physical training to prepare the body for competition. But even the most dedicated among them experience dips in their motivation and long for something to relieve the boredom of repetitive training... MORE
How encouraging athletes boosts performance Offering verbal encouragement to athletes attempting maximal effort is entirely instinctive. Indeed it is almost impossible to imagine a situation in which coaches, parents, fellow athletes and friends would stand silent on the sidelines, instead of shouting out such original motivators as: ‘keep it going’, ‘go for it’, ‘push it’... MORE
A new UK study on the ergogenic effects of music has tended to muddy the waters of scientific research rather than clarify them. In contrast to previous findings that music benefits performance by reducing perceived exertion, the current study found the opposite to be true. Sixteen physically active participants performed two 10k time trials on... MORE
Pain and brain – a revolutionary approach to treating injury Injury and pain are a competitive athlete’s worst nightmare, scuppering even the best-laid training plans. And when injuries become chronic, they can destroy confidence and even end athletic careers. But a revolution is taking place in our understanding of pain, which has profound implications for... MORE
‘Tuning up’ performance – music and videos as ergogenic aids Elite professional sport is now so competitive that few elite athletes can afford to ignore the psychological skills and techniques required to enhance mental toughness. Recent research has seen some creative approaches to developing psychological skills, such as listening to carefully selected music and watching... MORE
Music hath charms to soothe the savage workout – or perhaps it doesn’t Athletes seem to enjoy listening to music while they are training, whether it’s hot jazz or hard rock broadcast over a loudspeaker system in the gym or cooler tones brought direct to the ears by the earphones of a carry-along Walkman. Many... MORE
