The sports psychology it is the branch of the psychology that studies psychic processes and the conduct of man during the sport activity . This applied science seeks to know and optimize the internal conditions of the athlete to achieve the expression of the physical, technical and tactical potential acquired in the preparation process.
The first approaches between psychology and sport they consisted of consultations of the trainers to the psychologists, where they present descriptions of behaviors during the competitions in search of advice to achieve the self-control of athletes. However, over time, the psychology of sport advanced and today it is already considered that the interaction between the psychologist and the athlete is something basic.
In this way, the sports psychologist helps the competitor to control the stress , which produces an emotional and behavioral disorganization that can affect their performance. On the other hand, try to pass from the expectation of success (when the athlete feels that his ability is directly associated with sports victory) to the efficiency expectation (so that actions and technical movements occupy your attention and feelings).
But not only that, in addition to the sports psychologist, who is responsible for assisting both athletes and coaches and teams, also carries out the provision to those of various techniques that serve them to train what are called social skills. In this sense, they work with what is concentration, control of anxiety or fears and trust.
For this, this psychology professional not only works with his patients at the office level but also in what are the facilities where they practice their sport such as the courts or gyms.
There are two great perspectives of sports psychology: developmentalist and the therapy . On the other hand, according to its application, this psychology can be divided into athlete psychology, coach psychology and coach counseling and manager counseling.
So important is currently the psychology that we are addressing that in the case of Spain there is what is known as the Spanish Federation of Sports Psychology (FEPD). In the decade of the 80's, this mentioned organism has its origin, which aims to promote and coordinate the work of the different existing associations that revolve around it.
Specifically, the Federation works in areas such as the psychology of sports performance, the psychology of exercise and health, the psychology of sports initiation, the psychology of arbitration and sports judgment, evaluation in sports psychology and learning. engine.
A total of ten associations are those that currently act as members of the aforementioned Federation and together they annually develop various events to promote the work that is carried out in the field of sports psychology as would be the case of various congresses.
It should be noted that a good diagnosis for sports psychology appears linked to the utility it represents for both athlete as for him equipment and for the institution to which it belongs.
