An Athlete’s Welfare - Being Successful both on and Off the Field

Many sports psychology books have mostly steered towards techniques and interventions that coaches and athletes can use to enhance sporting performance. Nevertheless, these techniques will be largely ineffective if the athlete is not coping with personal difficulties off field. Consider this scenario: a tennis player who is expected to win an important competition gets knocked out in the first round. He is embarrassed, ashamed, and feels like he has let himself, his coach, and his parents down. He loses his passion for tennis and considers quitting the sport. Immediately implementing a goal setting program to “motivate” this athlete will not only be ineffective, it may also minimise or dismiss his emotional response. Any performance enhancement intervention by itself probably will not help this athlete until he has worked through his psychological response to the tournament.

There has been a longstanding debate within the sport psychology field about our specific job description. Is our primary job to help the athlete get the best time, kick the most goals, or win the most tournaments at all costs? Or is our fundamental job to enhance the health, welfare, and happiness of the athlete? Usually the two approaches are related. For example, the welfare of many athletes is increased dramatically when they enhance their performance. Nevertheless, the reverse can also be true. Some athletes are much happier and relaxed when they leave their sport. Especially at an elite level, an athlete’s performance and welfare are extremely closely related. A poor performance can cause low self-esteem, guilt, embarrassment, worthlessness, and cause the athlete to question their identity as an athlete. Clinical issues can consequently arise including mood disorders (such as depression and anxiety) and, where weight is a detriment to performance, eating disorders can also manifest.

Although sport science often views athletes as machines (exploring ways to get from A to B in the quickest time with the most efficient fuel), the reality is that athletes are also human. Athletes who fail to live up to expectations are stuck with the most feared labels of “weak” or “soft.” When an athlete wins a major competition, too often he or she is put high on a pedestal and honoured with the labels “hero” and “mentally tough.” These terms imply perfection and suggest the athlete does not show emotion, is not affected by personal issues, and certainly does not cry! Especially in sport these qualities are frowned upon, and seen as a weakness and a detriment to performance. The reality is that they are human qualities that should be embraced and worked with rather than shamed and dismissed.

Mental illness and perceptions of not coping with personal issues are still taboo in society in general. The sporting environment further increases this shame. Coaches and support staff therefore need to be very aware, approachable and open to athletes. Coaches should have access to a professional network including at least one psychologist or counsellor who has knowledge of treating clinical issues and who is also aware of the demands of the sporting environment.

Suggesting an athlete sees a counsellor or psychologist is also a sensitive process and should also be handled with care. This process will be much easier if the coach has an open communication with the athlete, and has the athlete’s genuine welfare in his or her best interest. If an athlete refuses to see a mental health professional, then this should also be respected (except in extreme circumstances where there is a risk to the athlete or other people). If an athlete does choose to seek help, the coach should also respect the privacy of the athlete, and appreciate that the athlete may not wish to disclose details of his or her session with the psychologist / counsellor. Although this may be difficult and even threatening for a coach, it is in the best interest of the athlete if coaches find a balance of showing their continued interest in the athlete’s welfare without prying for information.

When I work with athletes, I encourage them to keep their coach (and family) updated on how they are progressing (with as little or as much information as they choose to disclose), but if the athlete does not wish to do this then that also has to be respected.

Author: Michelle Cranston. Michelle has been employed in the fitness industry for 9 years, in a variety of roles including sport psychologist, personal trainer / fitness advisor, exercise rehabilitation consultant, and eating behaviour counsellor. Michelle has shared her expertise in sports psychology by writing many articles related to sports performance. You can read more of Michelle's tips and advice in "The Athlete's Mind" eBook.

Author: This article is an excerpt from the eBook "The Athlete's Mind" written by David Horne which is the Ultimate eBook for all athlete's. In order to achieve your goals and become the athlete that you dreamed of becoming then you need to achieve you "Ultimate Performance Zone" every time you are in competition. The Athlete's Mind is written from a former professional athlete's perspective and is a must read for all athletes!