Happy holidays
eat healthy, move a lot, have fun, be with who you want, rest
Monthly Archive for July, 2015
November 1917 Monte Grappa. Italian troops in retreat, they adjusted themselves to the new defensive line, while the advance of the Austro-Germans, who had broken at Caporetto. On those occasions, many soldiers passed through with their division, passing close to their villages. There was no time to stop, a greeting and go again. But at nightfall, with a permit based on the word, many soldiers went down to find their families, but there was little time, hey had to run!
With the heart pounding, down the slopes and woods, to pass a few hours with loved ones, for an hour of love fleeting perhaps the last, before the death by stopping the invaders. And then the return: climb on course to return in time keeping one’s word, perhaps with the food for the comrades remained. Running for love, running to fight, run for glory.
Giovanni Rech, from Seren del Grappa, the father of three girls, made his last run to the Mount Tomatico, after spending the night in the family. The first to open the fire against the Austrians, then dying under the cross throwing back enemy grenades.
Celeste Spadarotto from Quero descend to the village to greet the parents. He survived the war, finding the back country destroyed and both parents dead.
Vincenzo Colognese from Montebelluna, silver medalist, he died running along the trenches of Mount Valderoa, to help and cheer up wounded comrades.
It was the last race for many soldiers. Today we remember themwithout distinction.
Running for the momentum of an assault, to communicate orders or with a wounded comrade, running for their lives, running to write the history.
And you today that you run to feel alive, and your sweat wet grass and rocks, remember them, that here they have shed their blood.
Feel your heart beat, which is now that of every nation here once fought. Run now, you who are free!
Old data but always current are those written in 1985 by Benjamin Bloom in connection with a study which included concert pianists, sculptors, research mathematicians, research neurologists, Olympic swimmers and tennis champion.
“… no matter
what the initial characteristics (or gift) of the individuals,
unless there is a long and intensive process of
encouragement, nurturance education, and training,
the individuals will not attain extreme level of capability
in these particular fields” (p.3)
At some time in the mind of the athletes it should get in the idea that they are convinced of wanting to win the race.
I am convinced that this approach to the event results in a greater determination to want to do everything they need to accomplish this goal.
The consideration that winning a tournament or a competition is not at all easy should not in any way distract the athletes from this goal.
Every athlete should be fully aware that it’s never a problem to face obstacles indeed it’s a fundamental part of the game, because it’s from this experience that come out the winners.
Then the athletes have to train themselves to win and then show their courage, knowing that it will never be easy and that they must fight every instant without fear.
Mental rehearsal of the sports performance is one aspect of mental coaching distinguishing the winners from less successful athletes. It’s an old story so that in 1984, the magazine of the Italian School of Sport, published a review by Frester about the research dating back to the’ 50s. Since that time have passed 30 years but nonetheless mental rehearsal has not yet become a founding element of training and mental preparation for the race.
This year, the sixth edition of the book entitled “Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology” by R. Weinberg and D. Gould provides the opportunity to read some of the quotes about the use of mental rehearsal, which I hope to be a concrete inspiration for many athletes and coaches to use mental rehearsal in a consistent and effective way.
Jack Nicklaus, golfer
Before every shots I go to the movies inside my head. Here is what I see. First, I see the ball where I want to finish, nice and white and sitting up high on the bright green grass. Then I see the ball going there; its path and trajectory and even its behavior on landing. The next scene shows me taking the kind of swing that will turn the previous image into reality. There home movies are a key to my concentration and to my positive approach to every shot.
Michael Phelps, swimmer
Before the Olympic trials I was doing a lot of viualization. And I think that helped me to get a feel of what it was going to be like when I got there.
Sir Alex Ferguson, former manager of Manchester United
I was always trying to add imagination to my coaching emphasizing the need for players to have a picture in their minds, to visualize how they could have a creative impact on the shifting pattern of a game.
Chris Evert, former tennis player
Before I play a match, I try carefully rehearse what is likely to happen and how I will react in certain situations. I visualize myself playing tipical points based on my opponent’s style of play. I see myself hitting crisp, deep shots from the baseline and coming to the net if a get weak return. This helps me mentally prepare for a match, and I feel like I’ve already played the match before I even walk on the court.
What I learned from this European Congress of Sport Psychology.
- There are not new data about the sport psychology
- We can use the new neuropsychological and psychophysiological tools to better confirm our data
- We need to educate our public or clients to search for a qualified consultants and not to use motivators or other people just because they have a better marketing
- The academic world must be more related to the consultants and viceversa, otherwise we never use at the best the data we have and the academia never will never have the feedback they need from the practitioners
- The sport psychology organizations play a fundamental role to reach these goals
Sometimes be Italian sport psychologists is also a source of pride. In these days it’s helding place in Bern the 14th European Congress of Sport Psychology and we can claim to be an important part of the organizations that represent it.
- Claudio Robazza received the Ema Geron award for his excellent scientific career and he continues as Associate Editor of Psychology of Sport and Exercise
- Maurizio Bertollo was elected to the new Board of the European Federation of Sport Psychology (FEPSAC)
- Cristiana Conti was elected to the ENYSSP Board, the European organization of youth sports psychologists
Fabio Lucidi also a Board member of the World Association of Sport Psychology (ISSP). As far as I’m concerned I left after eight years the position of FEPSAC treasurer and continuing in my role as editorial manager of the International Journal of Sport Psychology.
With this team and the involvement of the Italian associations, the Academia and the Order of psychologists we can do other important steps forward.
Just to understand that psychological counseling services for high-level athletes require special expertise I provide some information gathered yesterday in Sports Psychology Symposium held during the 14° European Congress in Psychology.
- The German Olympic Committee has service units of sports psychology in every Region of the Country providing counseling at about 35% of the national athletes.
- The same applies all’INSEP in Paris with a team of 10 full-time psychologists.
- The Dutch Olympic Committee decided that these services to the athletes of the Olympic team may be provided only by psychologists who have professional experience in consulting at least 2,080 hours in the last five years.
Attentional training in shooting sports
How to train the process to be focused under pressure
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