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Introduction
Success starts with one most powerful asset ones brain. Strengthening this tool is paramount for success. As the premise states, "the role of the mind in sports performance is crucial for success…" It is important to acknowledge that successful athletic performance is a function of not only what the athlete does, but also what the athlete thinks. In turn, the ultimate athletic performance can only be realized when both the mind, through psychological training, and the body, through physiological and skills training, attain their fullest potential. Beggs (10) asserts "when an athlete goes out on the field, for a contest, he does not leave his mind tucked away in a locker with his shoes, his watch and his hat…the best athletes use almost every faculty of their minds when they go into a contest" (p 56).
There has been much speculation on how to define motivation. One version explains it as 'an intervening process or an internal state of an organism that impels or drives it to action' (Reber 185, p454). Motivation is a broad subject and this report discusses the theory of achievement motivation.
Achievement motivation is a person's effort to succeed at a task, achieve excellence, persist in the face of failure, perform better than others and experience pride in accomplishments (Gill 186, Murray 18, citied in Gould and Weinberg 000). These motives that allow an athlete to achieve may be classed as intrinsic, extrinsic or amotivated. Intrinsic motivation arises in a person involved in an activity due to interest or personal satisfaction. A person is extrinsically motivated to achieve a reward or benefit in the outcome of said event, such as a trophy, money or fame, where these are perceived as desirable assets. Kowal and Fortier (000) stipulate that amotivation refers to lack of motivation with is no apparent intention to participate in an activity.
An athlete able to enter and maintain the desired 'intrinsic motivational' state outlined by Gill, Murray, Gould, Weinberg may give a distinct advantage during an athletes mental preparation, which is often an undervalued factor in success. Experience and practice typically lead to improvement, ergo the more experienced an athlete the more technical their mental preparation may be. Followers of the tai-chi martial art form are noted for their attention to mental preparation, and anecdotal evidence suggest that at elite levels of any competition or activity, preparation and will become the deciding factor.
A reasonable question is whether mental training is worth getting better at. Athletes spend a lot of time preparing for competition. Practices and fitness training are all about technical, tactical and physical preparation for competition. As a result, they become highly skilled in these areas. However, the ability to utilise this potential in competition depends largely on their mental skills, which unfortunately usually receive less attention and training.
The purpose of this study is to identify what role motivation plays in improving athlete performances, through psychology examination of three sportspeople and understanding how they improve their performance. The role of motivation and the problems associated with motivational levels affecting their performance will be outline and discussed. Observing the mental training and motivational methods used by these athletes will help to illustrate the factors that help athletes to succeed.Method
Participants
The subjects chosen for this study are three sportspeople who are Rugby League players. The individuals are from the same age group although each competes at a different level.
Subject 1 17-year-old first grade representative who started playing at the age of ten due to a lack of interest in his previous sport, which was soccer. He plays every Saturday just to keep fit and healthy.
Subject 0-year-old first grade representative who started playing at the age of 14 at school. He competes at the reserve grade level and plays for the Cronulla Sharks.
Subject 8-year-old first grade representative who plays for the Cronulla Sharks and has had an interest with the sport since the age of 7 when his parents placed him into a weekend activity sport with the local club.
Measure
In order to identify what effects the motivation levels, methodologies used and motivational problems encountered had in improving each individuals' performance, an interview and two surveys were jointly conducted. Survey 1 is a Mental Skills Profile and Survey is a Mental Training Checklist. The interview was designed to explore the athlete's background and views on Rugby League. The two surveys were used to identify the methodologies they chose and the motivation of the subjects to improve their performance.
Procedure
Firstly, permission was gained in order to conduct the interview with each interview after a brief discussion on the assignment. Secondly, the interview was conducted by direct contact with the three subjects at each individual's house on request. Finally, the two surveys were given to them to answer after interview. Results
Table 1, and summarise the results from the interview that gathered information relating to the athletes background, their view on rugby league. The main aim of conducting the interview was to investigate what do sportspeople do to improve their sports performance, how important do sportspeople view motivation with respect to performance and how do sportspeople deal with problems associated with motivation?
The results from Survey 1 outline the individual's attitude in any given situation regarding to the sport. It illustrates the athletes' mental state, whether it is positive or negative by allowing the athlete to nominate a set grade as outlined in the survey.
The results from Survey outline the athletes' mental state in any given situation. Subjects covered include; motivation, confidence, thought habits, focus and visualization.
Both the table and surveys illustrate and identify each athlete's motivation and the methodologies used by them to improve performance.
(Please refer to Appendix for full transcripts of interviews and surveys).Table 1 Summary of results obtained from the three interviews
Subject 1 Subject Subject
Define motivation Something that makes you want to do something. To be enthusiastic and driven to try and achieve your set goal. A positive mental attitude in a given situation or set of circumstances.
What is your prime motivation for participating in your chosen sport? I want to reach my short-term and long- term goals. I strive to be like my Rugby League hero, Peter Sterling. Recognition is really important to me. I want people to be able to see my skill and ability to play. I also set short-term goals. Winning and having the recognition of being one of the top players in Australia.I set short-term goals to achieve them.
How do you get motivated and remain motivated throughout the game? Verbally psyching myself up. My teammates and coach also encourage me Enthusiasm is vital. As an elite player, my mental state is my competitive advantage. Self-motivator's, which I have studied and practiced throughout my sporting life. Having the right frame of mind is critical.
What role do you feel motivation plays in relation to your performance? No real important role. I feel my performance and skill is what is important. It is very important, as we are basically all very competitive and elite. Motivation is what I focus on, as it will make me succeed. It plays the most important role in professional rugby, as we are all talented. The major difference is our motivation.
Table Summary of results obtained from the three interviews
Subject 1 Subject Subject
List the best things about Rugby League GirlsFightsMeeting new friends Performing wellWinningSatisfaction RecognitionFinalsMoney
List the worst things about Rugby League InjuriesTime wastageMissing social events InjuriesLosingTraining LosingInjuriesHard workout and training
How do you deal with these problems? Sometimes my friends and team- mates give me support. I'm Motivation from the coach and team- mates. Having a good attitude at all times. I also initiate a one-on-one session with my sport psychologist sometimes. Being enthusiastic no matter what. Believing in myself at all times and by being positive. My wife and coach are really good to talk too.
Do you use mental preparation? If so, list and explain. No, not really. Off course, you have too. I tend to focus on affirmation and imagery. I find that thinking of the moves I have learnt helps me in my confidence. You better believe it. Self-talk is a major one. It makes me believe in myself as I'm continually telling myself 'I can do it'. I also like the team to participate.
Table Summary of results obtained from the three interviews
Subject 1 Subject Subject
Are you always mentally prepared for a game? No. Well I try to be, as its vital for motivation and performance. We do our best. It is the biggest challenge as there are always external factors to consider. Our pep-up meetings at training and before the game help me focus.
Has lack of mental preparation ever affected your performance? Yes off course. I'm starting to realize that it is quite important. It's really common sense. Unfortunately, yes it has. I try and focus on always being mentally prepared however sometimes it's a difficult task to maintain. Sadly, there have been a few situations where my performance was not to my potential due to lack of mental preparation.
What do you do to improve your performance? Well I practice during training and I eat well. I focus on my self-esteem level and I also train hard and try to be enthusiastic. I do many things. I train hard, I eat well, I use self-motivators, which boost my confidence level.
Discussion
The importance of mental training increases at more elite levels. When athletes are young and just learning the technical, tactical and physical skills of a game, their learning curve is steep. A true example of this is Subject 1, however the athlete is not motivated and has no enthusiasm to succeed. Even though, there's a lot of room for improvement and he improve quickly. At elite levels, most players are approaching their performance ceiling and the learning curve slows down. This is a true example of Subject and . Consequently, teams are often similar in terms of technical, tactical and physical skills at this level. Everybody is good. If you're looking for an advantage over an opponent, mental training can be huge. The main reason is that not many opponents work conscientiously on this part of their game. So, developing strong mental skills can provide a major advantage. Both Subject and recognise the importance of motivation with respect to performance, and state that it is one of the most vital factors for their success.
Subject 1 clearly illustrates amotivation, which was earlier referred too as a lack of motivation with is no apparent intention to participate in an activity. The reason for his failure in performance is due to many reasons, one being the lack of mental preparation before a game. Graham states that, "How we feel before we compete has a lot to do with how we compete. Your optimal pre-competitive state is the mindset that has always been associated with excellent performances in your past. Said another way, it is the mindset you perform most effectively with. When preparing for competition, self-regulation involves understanding what your optimal pre-competitive state feels like, then using relaxation and visualization skills to get there."
In order for Subject 1 to improve his sport performance, he must focus on mental preparation prior to the game and training sessions. The Coach also has an important role in motivating and analyzing Subject 1's attitude in order to assist with other critical aspects such as confidence and concentration not only motivation.
Subject uses the technique of imagery, as he believes that it is crucial in Rugby League to have the right mental approach, to be successful. Cumming et al (001) expresses that, "Imagery exerts a beneficial effect on the acquisition and performance of a motor skill…Imagery has cognitive and motivational functions". In simplest terms, imagery can be likened to daydreaming. It is simply the process whereby an individual sees and feels pictures or images in the mind. Graham (000) states, "It also is a tool that elite athletes have been using for years to maximize their competitive
performance. Jean-Claude Killy, one of only two individuals to win three gold medals in alpine skiing in the same Olympics, reported that he always mentally went through each gate on the ski course, as he stood in the starting gate. Similarly, the great professional golfer Jack Nicklaus, reported that he never hit a golf ball until he visually saw himself hitting the ball in his mind. In fact, there would be few athletes competing at elite levels anywhere who would not use imagery systematically in both practice and competition".
Subject is very goal driven. He continually sets short-term goals in order for them to be reached, which assists in motivation, confidence and enthusiasm. In turn, this will assist him in reaching his ultimate long-term goals. This is a very efficient and effective technique, as by setting the short-term goals, and by achieving them, this is motivating him to keep a positive outlook on achieving his long-term goals. As it is stated that, "Goal setting is a hugely powerful technique that can yield strong returns in all areas of sport. At its simplest level, the process of setting goals and targets allows you to choose what you want to achieve in your sport" (Markland 1, p158). The athlete knowing what they want to achieve, are also aware of what they must concentrate on and improve, and what the distinctions are. Goal setting gives the athlete long-term vision and short-term motivation.
It would not be precise to state that motivation is the only factor, which affects sports performance. One has to consider other vital factors, as being a successful athlete involves a variety of different abilities and skills. A successful athlete will peak in his or her performance when they have captured the skill and capability of maintaining confidence, intensity, concentration and motivation. It is said that there is always room for improvement and that no one is perfect, this statement holds force throughout this report. Through further study and investigation, it would be suggested that one should focus on all the issues which affect an athletes performance, which will in turn give an in depth insight into athletic performance and success.References
Beggs, W.D.A (10). Goal setting in sport. In J.G. Jones and L. Hardy (Eds.), Stress and performance in sport (pp. 56-170). Chichester, UK John Wiley and Sons.
Brunstein, J. (1). Personal goals and subjective well-being A longitudinal study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 1061-1070.
Cumming JL, Ste-Marie DM (001) The cognitive and motivational effects of imagery training A matter of perspective. Sports Psychologist Vol5() Sep 00176-88.
Gould, D Weinberg, RS (000) Foundations of Sport and Exercise Pathology (nd ed). United States of America human Kinetics.
Graham, T (000) Developing a mental and emotional edge. [Online]. Available http//www.usask.ca/sportmedsci/mental/edgesoccer.HTM [18 May 00].
Kowal, J Fortier, MS (000) Testing relationships from hierarchical model of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation using flow as a motivational consequence.
Markland D (1) Self-determination moderates the effects of perceived competence on intrinsic motivation in an exercise setting. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology Vol 1(4) Dec 151-61.
Reber, AS (185) The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology. England Penguin Books.
Scanlan, T.K. and Lewthwaite, R. (186). Social psychological aspects of competition in male youth sport participants. Predictors of enjoyment. Journal of Sport Psychology, 8, 5-5.
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