The Sports Psychologist: Role And Function

The sports psychologist helps improve the performance and the feeling of well-being of athletes. This is thanks to his knowledge and strategies regarding the psychological aspects in sports.

Psychology is a science that spans several branches. Each of them studies different aspects of the individual. L or sports is an activity from major psychological implications. There is more than one reason, therefore, why every sportsman could benefit from the help of a sports psychologist .

Thanks to these professionals, sportsmen can count on an assessment, orientation and intervention based on psychological aspects. All in order to improve performance levels and the feeling of well-being.

In the course of this article, we will look at the most relevant functions of the sports psychologist, as well as the benefits that his work brings.

Assessment and Diagnosis: Central Functions of a Sports Psychologist

Among the main functions of a sports psychologist, the assessment and diagnosis of the sportsman stand out. The evaluation carried out is called psycho-sports, since with it both the sporting and psychological aspects are considered:

• Observe the behavior. Analyze the environment in which it occurs, as well as the emotions and thoughts connected with it.
• Identify. Identify the conditions associated with any behavior assumed by the athlete.
• Interview. Carries out several interviews to define the conduct to be taken, as well as the thoughts and emotions of the athlete that affect performance and well-being. For this purpose, psychological tests, verification questionnaires and other techniques are used to get to know the sportsman in all his vital aspects.

After carrying out the interview and identifying the cognitive-behavioral and emotional aspects, the sports psychologist formulates the diagnosis.

This is used to delimit the field on which to work. Over time, however, other aspects may be included that need to be addressed.

Psychoeducation

The sports psychologist is also responsible for psychoeducation. By exercising this function, he shows the sportsman different strategies to enhance his performance through different educational methods.

Through the psychoeducational process, information is provided to the athlete in various areas that affect his sports performance. Information concerning the bond with society, work, family, health and the emotional world, among others.

The sports psychologist and planning

Once the evaluation and diagnosis process is complete, the sports psychologist moves on to the planning phase. Let’s see how:

• He chooses psychotechnical tests, along with other tools and techniques to use. As well as the purpose of their application.
• Implement strategies to exchange information with the various parties involved. For example, parents, family, the community etc.
• Set clear and realistic goals. He agrees with the people he will work with therapeutically.
• It establishes the dates and the distribution of hours to achieve the objectives.

The sports psychologist is therefore a great organizer. He must distribute the therapeutic time and the different activities to achieve the objectives of his intervention.

In addition to this, he is in charge of advising his clients so that they fully understand the details of the intervention process. And, at the same time, they also understand how to make positive every step taken towards sporting progress. In this way, the sportsman will be more prone to psychological intervention.

Psychological intervention

Intervention is the key point. With it, in fact, the planned projects are realized in order to obtain a higher performance and the well-being of the sportsman. It is therefore the fundamental step towards achieving the established goals.

With his intervention, the sports psychologist uses a large number of different strategies, techniques and tools to achieve the established goals.

Such progress always occurs at the hands of the athlete, his team and the community.

To achieve the established result, the professional must have a thorough knowledge of the sport he will focus on and the people he will work with. For this, it is essential to adapt to the people on whom it intervenes and to the environment in which they move.

Investigate and promote health

The sports psychologist can also devote himself to research. This can happen from a pragmatic perspective, after finishing the therapeutic process with a sportsman, or from an academic perspective, focused on the psychology of sport as a science.

Thus, despite the young age of this branch of psychology, we already have several researches. they already have several investigations. Some, for example, emphasize the relationship between psychological factors and vulnerability to injury.

In addition, the sports psychologist can also devote himself to the promotion and prevention of health. In this sense, he is dedicated to planning strategies associated with the world of sport aimed at improving health and preventing disease.

Benefits brought by a sports psychologist

To any sports lover who wishes to improve their performance, that of their team or promote sport in the community, a sports psychologist can bring the following benefits:

• More motivation
• Planning of goals and strategies to improve
• Greater self-esteem
• Balanced management of emotions
• Count on a life project related to sport
• Identify dangerous situations
• Help in managing stress and anxiety
• Increase in yield
• Promotes injury prevention and recovery
• Improve teamwork skills

Of course, not all psychologists can devote themselves to this branch of psychology. To exercise it effectively, specialization in the sector is required.

The sports psychologist can work with sportsmen, high-performing teams, coaches, professors, parents or communities.

With its professional skills, it can help improve sports performance and, in this way, contribute to a better life for the sportsman.