Thinking gold: the link between cognition and performance in olympic athletes
keywords:
Olympics / Olympic Games Paris / paris / european championship / football / uefa / em / Germany / cognitive performance / cognitive skills / interventions
Thinking gold: the link between cognition and performance in olympic athletes
In Olympic athletes, superior physical performance is clearly evident on observation. The non-visible cognitive processes also contribute to successful performance, yet they are still weakly researched and their mechanisms are unclear. With this article, we will provide insights into state-of-the-art research on the cognition-performance link in sports, focusing on elite athletes preparing for the Olympic Games. To do so, we will illustrate challenges associated with cognitive testing in the field of competitive sports, present solutions, and pinpoint how developing sport-specific vs. general cognitive measures can pave the way for individually tailored cognitive interventions. / more
The role of others' presence in sport performance under pressure
keywords:
Olympics / Olympic Games Paris / paris / european championship / football / uefa / em / Germany / performance / presence of others / social faciliation and inhibition / choking under pressure
The role of others' presence in sport performance under pressure
The presence of other people is inevitable in sport and dealing with it is crucial for high-level performance. This article presents the potential explanation of social inhibition or choking under pressure in competitive contexts due to the presence of others and suggests ways to help athletes to prevent them. / more
Use your breath to gain a performance advantage
keywords:
Olympics / Olympic Games Paris / paris / european championship / football / uefa / em / Germany / Breathing techniques / slow-paced breathing / Fast-paced breathing / Voluntary hyperventilation / Breath holding
Use your breath to gain a performance advantage
Editor: Elisa Bisagno
Editorial Assistant: Rinat Meerson, Sofia Calderon This article has also been translated into German, French and Italian.
Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Are you mindful of your breathing pattern? In sports, having control over one’s own breathing pattern and its regulation represents a prominent advantage. The authors draw upon empirical findings, providing an overview of the science behind voluntary breath modification and its role in Olympic athletes’ performance.
Consider the example of... / more
Players behind the scenes: How parents join their children’s road to the Olympics
keywords:
Olympics / Olympic Games Paris / paris / european championship / football / uefa / em / Germany / kids in sports / parenting / Support / Parent-Child Relationship / Youth / Elite Sport
Players behind the scenes: How parents join their children’s road to the Olympics
At the end of their Olympic careers, many athletes acknowledge the contributions of a hidden participant: their parents. In the present article, the authors review the pivotal impact of parents’ support for children’s development and success in elite sports and share insights on what constitutes positive parental involvement. / more
Essential Psychological Aspects of the Olympic Mind
keywords:
Olympics / Olympic Games Paris / paris / european championship / football / uefa / em / Germany / perfection / focus / mastery / resilience / mental
Essential Psychological Aspects of the Olympic Mind
It is a common myth that perfection and ‘rising above yourself’ are required to clinch Olympic gold. Very rarely, however, do athletes realize a perfect race or match. If athletes nonetheless focus solely on this inspiring but virtually unattainable goal, they may underachieve in the big moments. From a psychological perspective, peak performance is also about controlling the controllables, acceptance, composure, focus on the task at hand, limiting performance losses, and being prepared for setbacks. / more
There is no place like home – How the French crowd may impact the athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
keywords:
Olympics / Olympic Games Paris / paris / european championship / football / uefa / em / Germany / Home advantage / fans / spectators / away game
There is no place like home – How the French crowd may impact the athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Athletes and fans believe to be superior when competing at home. Will the French believe the same at this year’s Olympics in Paris? We review the psychological explanations for a home advantage and predict that French athletes will perform better at home, but, they are not unbeatable. / more
Heart Rate Variability (HRV): How Olympic athletes can use the heart-mind connection to boost their performance
keywords:
Olympics / Olympic Games Paris / paris / european championship / football / uefa / em / Germany / Heart rate variability / vagus nerve / slow-paced breathing / cardiac coherence
Heart Rate Variability (HRV): How Olympic athletes can use the heart-mind connection to boost their performance
In Olympic athletes, the heart and the mind team up to achieve success. This synergy can be tracked using heart rate variability (HRV). In this article, you will learn how changes in heart rhythm can boost Olympic athletes' training, help them recover from setbacks, and enhance their mental strength. Learn easy and effective techniques that tap into this heart-mind connection to help athletes perform their best at the Olympics. / more
“Keeping the Olympic Flame Burning”: Protecting Athletes from Burnout in Sport
keywords:
Olympics / Olympic Games Paris / paris / european championship / football / uefa / em / Germany / Athlete burnout / health / depression / Prevention strategies
“Keeping the Olympic Flame Burning”: Protecting Athletes from Burnout in Sport
Athlete burnout is a growing concern in sport, particularly among elite athletes who compete at the highest level, such as the Olympic Games. It is characterized by the symptoms of physical and emotional exhaustion, a reduced sense of athletic accomplishment, and sport devaluation. The present article will explore its causes and consequences. It also aims to guide the creation of effective strategies for preventing and mitigating burnout in elite athletes who will compete during the Olympic Games. / more
Never fear, a moral expert is here
Never fear, a moral expert is here
Editorial Assitant: Stella Wernicke Note: This article was already reviewed and is published in the German version of In-Mind. Can I read the diaries of my deceased daughter? Can I tell a friend's family that they have a drug problem, even if they have asked me to keep it quiet? Many people are confronted with tricky moral decision-making situations in the course of their lives and seek the advice of friends, family members, or even experts. But is... / more
Climate Stress in Everyday Life: How Can We Support Children?
keywords:
climate change / climate crisis / mental health / children and adolescents / coping with emotions
Climate Stress in Everyday Life: How Can We Support Children?
The climate crisis leads to significant changes in nature and ultimately in our society challenging all of us. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable in their mental processing, as well as physically, due to their socially dependent position. How can we support them in dealing with this major challenge in their lives? We present current scientific findings related to the lives of young people. How can we support children in coping with climate stress? A team of psychologists explains. / more