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 Beyond
Strength: Psychological Profiles of Olympic Athletes is written
and intended for professionals who work with athletes at all skill levels.
Written in a non-technical style, it is useful for coaches, trainers,
athletes, psychologists, and sports medicine professionals. The purpose
of this book is to provide new insight into the psychological training
strategies of elite athletes.
Our data are derived from the largest applied research project ever conducted
among U.S. Olympic track and field athletes. Our sample included all qualifiers
in 43 track and field events who were invited to the 1988 Olympics in
Seoul, South Korea.
Several areas of concern involving the "total" athlete and his/her
preparation for personal best performances were evaluated. We asked how,
when, and why athletes used mental practice, visualization, special training
routines, and/or stress management strategies. We also looked at how athletes
maintained a level of normal functioning during a relatively stressful
period in their lives. To whom did they turn for emotional support? What
were their reasons for striving so hard to attain their athletic goals?
When possible, we offer specific examples of a practical application in
training and cite examples of individuals who used a mental practice strategy,
visualization, or meditation to alter their negative mindset in preparation
for their race. Although we focus on psychological characteristics and
strategies of elite athletes, we hope that athletes at all levels of competition,
and the professionals who work with them, will find useful information
here.
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