Many in this country might understand that the word “psychology” is related to human emotion and behavior, but many might not know the connection between psychology and sports.
According to the Malay Literature Reference Centre, the Institute of Language and Literature (DBP), ‘psychology’ is defined as a study on mental process and a thinking that linked the human and animal behavior.
‘Sports’ comprise of physical activities carried out for the purpose of competitions, enjoyment, development, skill-improvement, excellence and many more which require energy and agility.
Upon that realization, many coaches and sports practitioners in the country is now more aware of the importance of psychology in helping to increase an athlete’s performance.
Psychology is a field of knowledge and applied science that studies human behavior and how human mentality works scientifically. It is also correlated with emotions, feelings and behavior, and in reality, all individuals do not like being forced to do something.
This has also been an issue faced by the athletes on whether they are open-minded enough to accept something new into their life.
In relation to that, the existence of sports psychology among athletes is important in nurturing mature and professional athletes.
In order to create quality athletes of international standard, ISN has worked together with MSN and other agencies such as Ministry of Education to organize sports psychology workshop for the coaches and sports practitioners.
ISN has also placed a few sports psychologists in certain sports group and they will be on duty the whole time with the team they are responsible for, and not only during championships.
In short, a sports psychologist is not only interested in knowing what happened in the court and direct effects towards an athlete or official involved, but also those who are involved in directly outside the game court.
ISN has planned a few suitable programmes from the aspect of psychology and motivation according to group of sports to help athletes improve their performance during training and competition.
Among programmes structures are education session, practical session, individual or group consultation, field observation during training or competition and carry out relevant test and evaluation.
Through education and practical session, athletes will be exposed to techniques controlling anxiety and arousal, but it all depends on the athletes themselves whether to apply it during training and competition.
Other than that, similar to physical training, this need to be trained repeatedly during training to turn it into a routine and make it work automatically when needed.
However, there is also a need to emphasize on the society’s belief or any sports’ hardcore supporter towards athletes because they, very often, place blames on athletes or coaches if the athlete fail to win any medals during a competition or championships.
There are words amongst the sports specialists saying it is not fair to label sports practitioners through observation alone because the researchers or sports scientists are more interested in seeking techniques or method that can provide positive impact in the athletes’ performance compare to looking for weaknesses or shortcoming on a certain individual.
The level of understanding on ‘psychology’ among individuals differs as it is very subjective, which has made it easy for various parties to plant their perception on a certain situation or circumstances.
