2024-08-25 04:24:00
Without mental preparation, Leon Marchand might not have won every Olympic medal. This support for athletes before competition sometimes raises questions. Share the latest with Dr. Martin Ducret, physician and journalist doctor daily.
franceinfo: How to prepare mentally?
In practice, athletes hire a mental trainer, also known as a mental coach. After a few sessions, the latter strengthens the athlete’s brain to some extent and improves their mental strength. This will allow him to better manage stress, improve his confidence and focus. To do this, he uses different tools such as meditation, hypnosis, relaxation or mental imagery, a technique that involves creating or recreating an experience, a situation or a movement posture in the mind.
Any special tips?
Sometimes, yes. Some psychological trainers, such as Frédéric Chevalier—also a former high-level rower—use apnea and cold-water immersion with their patients. he explained “Immersing yourself in ice water is one way to learn to let go”. It is particularly effective for those who over-control and suppress their emotions, such as certain athletes or business leaders.
Does a mental trainer have to be a sports psychologist?
No, not necessarily. The title of psychological coach is not protected, which means that anyone can define themselves as a psychological coach without training. The absence of a professional framework left the door open for apprentice wizards, to the detriment of a new profession that had existed in France for about ten years. Regis Scott, a clinical psychologist who specializes in sports and is currently based in the Olympic Village in Boulogne-sur-Mer, said, “The goal of a psychological coach is to increase the athlete’s efficiency, but he must first take into account his overall health and know how to detect potential psychological distress that may be present”which then requires treatment from a mental health professional (such as a psychologist).
So would it be ideal to consult a psychologist who specializes in psychological preparation?
Yes, this is an advantage, “This provides assurance for training” Lise Anhoury is a sports psychologist in La Rochelle and formerly worked at INSEP. But this isn’t necessary either. There are competent non-psychological trainers who have received recognized training and will refer athletes to mental health professionals when necessary. But it’s not always easy for athletes to find the right mental coach who has solid training and knows their limits. That’s why this young profession needs a regulatory framework to ensure patients are cared for with minimal abuse.
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