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ISSP Master Class Series – Lecture #4

Chinese Calligraphy Practice as a Mental Training Method:

A Science-to-Practice Approach

Date: Tuesday, November 16th, 2023
Speakers: Prof. Liwei Zhang and Ms. Xin Yue
Length of Session: 90 minutes (60-minute lecture, 30-minute Q&A)
Language: Chinese (Live multilingual captioning available)
Time: 12:00 UTC (New York 7:00, Bangkok 19:00; Beijing 20:00, Kuala Lampur 20:00, Taipei, 20:00, Seoul 21:00)
Where: Zoom (Link sent upon registration)

Program Overview
Many empirical studies have shown that traditional mental skills training (e.g., relaxation exercises, imagery exercises, simulation exercises, attention-focusing exercises, biofeedback exercises, goal-setting exercises, etc.) can effectively improve athletes’ mental skills and sports performance. Chinese calligraphy practice can not only strengthen athletes’ mental skills, but also improve athletes’ spirituality, which is a new method of mental training that combines both arts and Taoism. In this presentation, Prof. Zhang Liwei of Beijing Sport University, who has worked with the Team China in preparation for the Summer and Winter Olympics since 2000, will introduce the characteristics of Chinese calligraphy practice and discuss how it can be used to help athletes conduct mental training through the practice of calligraphy and to achieve practical results in international competitions including Olympics through three cases. Yue Xin, a doctoral candidate at Beijing Sport University, will report on seven experimental studies conducted by Prof. Zhang’s team, presenting findings that calligraphy practice enhances manual stability, promotes self-control, and improves self-efficacy. Some of the findings supported the facilitating effect of calligraphy practice, while some failed to find the positive effect. Overall, Chinese calligraphy practice is a very promising way of mental training due to its Chinese cultural characteristics and the role of both art and Taoism.

About the Speakers
Zhang Liwei, Doctor of Education (Physical Education and Training) from Beijing Sport University, Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology) from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor of School of Psychology, Beijing Sport University. Since 2000, he has been providing psychological training to Chinese athletes, including windsurfing team, trampoline team, tennis team, track and field team, rhythmic gymnastics team, short-track speed skating team, and freestyle skiing aerial team in preparation for competing in the Summer and Winter Olympics. He has participated in the Calgary Winter Olympics, Beijing Olympics, Rio Olympics, PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Tokyo Olympics, and Beijing Winter Olympics. He is currently the head of the Psychology Expert Group for Team China’s preparation for the Paris Olympics. His research interests are self-control and mental fatigue in athletes.

Yue Xin is a doctoral candidate in applied psychology program at Beijing Sport University. She has been assisting Prof. Zhang Liwei in psychological service support for Chinese athletes since 2020, and is mainly responsible for psychological counseling, psychological training and psychological assessment for the rhythmic gymnastics and windsurfing teams. Her research interests are self-control and calligraphic psychological interventions for athletes.

Program Format
Attendees can participate in an ISSP Master Class session right from their office or home. Upon registration, registrants will be provided the Zoom link to access the presentation on the web in real-time. If you are unable to watch the session live, a recording will be provided afterward to all registrants.