UNLEASHING THE MIND

In the world of sport, where athletic prowess and physical abilities often take centre stage, there exists a remarkable yet frequently overlooked force that can shape the outcomes of victory and defeat – the power of the mind. Welcome to the captivating realm of sports psychology, where the mind becomes the ultimate game changer.

I had the privilege of speaking with Miss Peck, member of Hampton’s Psychology department, to gain a first-hand glimpse into the world of sports psychology. She brings a wealth of experience, having dedicated seven years to the field.

According to Miss Peck, sports psychology can be roughly defined as "working with athletes, coaches and organisations in order to enhance [sporting performance] through the study of psychological factors."

Reflecting on her journey, Miss Peck recalls how her undergraduate studies in psychology, particularly "the social and bio psychology aspects" ignited her interest. Therefore, having played netball at national level since age ten, as well as excelling in athletics, she saw the potential to merge her passions and make a meaningful impact in the world of sports. "I thought maybe I could marry [these] two interests together – as I knew it would be rewarding to help someone with a passion similar to mine."

Throughout her career, Miss Peck has worked with a diverse range of clients, from grassroots athletes and coaches focused on wellbeing in sport to national level tennis players and footballers. This has even included assisting ex-olympians transitioning into new careers. Regardless of the context, Miss Peck emphasises that "there has always been the same focus – for me to be person-centred in my job. Looking at what an individual needs and trying to work out how to extract the best performance from them."

When asked to recount her most memorable experience, Miss Peck takes a thoughtful pause.

Among the many cases she has encountered, one in particular stands out - a runner who grappled with the relentless grip of perfectionism.

"She was constantly placing lots of pressure on herself every training session. If she did not achieve the time she wanted, she would beat herself up and get really upset - leading her to a negative thought cycle that was causing a burnout."

Through the application of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), Miss Peck played a pivotal role in reshaping the runner's mindset when it came to training.

Sports psychologists employ a diverse range of techniques, such as CBT, to assist athletes in improving their performance. These approaches may involve visualisation exercises and the establishment of pre-performance routines.

"For example, you can help a client be in a calm state and imagine the sporting scenario that might bring on anxiety. We then restructure the visualisation by helping them imagine a more positive outcome of a certain sporting event."