Athletes and coaches must recognize the psychological aspect to sports-related performance and its influence over the ability to train, prepare and execute. The following discussion explores some of the mental factors that are associated with and contribute to the complex nature of sports psychology.





Intrinsic Motivation







The concept of intrinsic motivation is a fundamental belief in a person's own abilities and competencies which compels him to be a self-starter. An athlete who has a strong sense of intrinsic motivation is more likely to be in control of his own training regimen and strongly associates success in his sport with a sense of accomplishment and skill. While the state of a person's intrinsic motivation is often the product of years of psychological development and conditioning, by making a determined effort to enhance a person's own level of self-motivation, a desirable psychological state can be achieved and may result in the acquisition of the mental skills necessary to excel in performance of his sport.





Achievement Motivation





Psychological theory suggests that all people have opposing personality traits within themselves in regards to personal motivation. These opposing traits consist of the motive to achieve success and the motive to avoid failure. It has been stated that athletes who are motivated to achieve success are drawn to sports and situations that are either challenging or uncertain, with a 50% probability of success. On the other hand, athletes who are motivated to avoid failure are more inclined to participate in sports or situations that are either very easy or very difficult, as the expectation to succeed is low. Motive to avoid failure is closely tied to a person's desire to protect his ego and self-esteem, whereas motive to achieve success more appropriately demonstrates a genuine desire to win and dominate a sport or situation.





Arousal





The National Strength and Conditioning Association defines arousal as the intensity dimension of behavior and physiology. Simply stated, it is how "psyched up" a person is at any given time. Arousal is always present at some level, depending upon variables such as current activity, the presence of positive or negative feelings about a current state or environment, and motivational influences and desires. In fact, Dr. Fredrick C. Hatfield lists arousal as one of the primary psychological factors that contributes to the successful pursuit of developing muscle mass. By carefully focusing on a task or movement as it relates to sports performance, and mentally managing psychological resources such as motivation and incentive, the athlete can produce a mental environment that can synergistically interact with physical conditioning to produce optimal athletic performance.





Incentive





Psychologists David Burch and Joseph Veroff composed literature that examined and identified major incentive systems that compel a person to succeed in immediate goal-oriented activity. Dr. Frederick C. Hatfield, affectionately known as Dr. Squat in bodybuilding and power lifting circles, outlined some of Burch and Veroff's findings in published literature and listed incentive as another one of the most influential psychological factors involved in training for the development of muscle mass. Dr. Hatfield, world-record-setting power lifter and founder of personal training certification program ISSA, examined several of these incentive systems as they apply to the athlete.





Affiliation Incentive





For athletes who compete in team sports or train in a setting that involves feedback and interaction with others, affiliation incentive may be one of the most powerful types of motivation, as this incentive construct emphasizes the human desire for recognition and reassurance. Many athletes may not consider this particular type of incentive as one most dominant players in their psychological state, however the roll of affiliation incentive, arousal and level of achievement motivation must not be ignored in an examination of psychological influences in athletic performance.





Power Incentive





Like that of affiliation incentive, power incentive relates directly to the human desire for recognition, peer acceptance, status and prestige. An athlete's physical ability and performance is greatly determined by the level of power incentive and its relationship to motive to avoid failure and level of arousal. Self-evaluation of a person's own motivational and incentive influences is a critical aspect to harnessing the potential power of each and focusing psychological resources on sport domination.





Excellence in athletic performance is a result of an integrated approach to sound nutritional principles, dedicated training, and strategic mental and psychological conditioning. Only after consideration is given to the powerful influence of the mind's capabilities can an athlete achieve true athletic greatness.



