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So this post is slightly different for me... I recently started a class called Sports and Exercise Psychology. The first day of class he handed out an assignment and the three questions already have me thinking... What does it take to be one of these successful athletes... do I have it? Am I making the most out of what skills I have been given... So here are the three questions, and my answers, opinions are always more than welcome, if you don't want to post them, PLEASE hotbox me!!
1. Identify the psychological challenges of participating in sports and exercise. Consider not only individual challenges, but interpersonal ones as well. Provide an explanation of each psychological challenge.
Sport and exercise both have many different challenges psychologically for people. The main issue for both seems to be motivation. With everyday pressure, people seem to lack the motivation to workout. If someone does not like their workout or sport they do not put the effort into the workout and end up loosing interestAnother Psychological challenge is intimidation. A person who starts a new sport or exercise may become intimidated if they start out alone. But at the same time they may also become intimidated by the success of a fellow friend/ teammate. Finally, if a person is over worked or becomes burnt out on any form of exercise or sport, it may be more difficult to get the person to start working out again.
2. Identify the psychological characteristics of successful athletes. Provide examples of athletes who demonstrate these characteristics.
Most Highly successful athletes have some very distinctive characteristics. They tend to be very dedicated people who put their sport before everything else. For Example Lance Armstrong did not allow his cancer to stop him from cycling. They also tend to be more aggressive people many top athletes end up being considered more abrasive because they are use to their aggressiveness working in their favor. Arrogance ends up being a major characteristic found in successful athletes. There are some athletes who stay humble, but most end up being more arrogant people. In Brazilian jiu jitsu one of the best blackbelts, Kron Gracie, demands his own area to warm up in for a tournament. He is also known to laugh at his opponents after they lose, and also refuse giving photos autographs to fans. The final major characteristis is an intense passion found in all successful athletes.
3. Do you believe the psychological characteristics of successful athletes are “natural” or are they developed? Explain your answer.
I believe that most psychological characteristics of successful athletes are natural. To some degree a successful athlete must have that natural drive and ability in their chosen sport. There are some exceptions to the rule. But if there is not naturally some form of drive then they will struggle to become one of the best. Most people will struggle with that extra stress. That natural 'knack' for a sport will keep the person with the 'natural' characteristics going.
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