THE OLYMPIC MINDSET: LEEDS TRINITY WORKSHOP EXPLORES THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND ELITE SPORT
24.04.2024A Level PE students at HNC have recently welcomed Leeds Trinity University for an insightful workshop which delved into the psychology behind elite athletes, with a focus on those athletes aiming to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Olympic, or Paralympic, Games are the focal point of many elite athletes’ careers. These athletes, who have been training in their chosen discipline since early childhood, spend endless amounts of time preparing for the Games, with years of hard work and dedication being devoted to achieving their dream of qualifying, and hopefully, going on to win a medal. To ensure peak performance in these iconic events, athletes need to dedicate time to not only physical preparations such as training and nutrition, but they must also work hard to prepare mentally for the demands that competing at the very highest level brings. In this university level workshop, A Level PE students discovered more about the experiences of athletes who have competed in major games, and the role that sport psychology can play in preparing athletes for such events.
During the workshop, the group worked with the team from Leeds Trinity to further develop their knowledge of Sports Psychology through a variety of interactive activities focusing on peak performance in sport, and the strategies needed for enhancing peak performance in competitions such as the Olympic or Paralympic Games. At the end of the session, the students, who are often already competition at an elite level in their chosen sport’s age bracket, took part in an enlightening Q&A which saw them discover more about how they can take their own game to the next level.
Tom Smith, Faculty Lead Enrich Sport and Health, comments “This was a genuinely fascinating session that saw our A Level PE students discover more about the psychology behind elite athlete’s successes, and the sacrifices that must be made by those athletes who are competing at the very highest of levels. Competing at the Olympic or Paralympic Games is often seen as the pinnacle of an athlete’s career, and the value of resilience, consistency and commitment that underpin these successes are the same values we hold as a College that support our students’ academic successes too. Thank you to Leeds Trinity University for delivering such an engaging session and for showcasing the wide variety of careers relating to Sports Psychology”.
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