In all the cases above, the psychological or the mental aspect of performance can be highlighted. The athlete is as technically skilled during the finals as in the first match. Why, then, does their performance differ during an important match? Psychological factors play a crucial role.
Feelings of pressure, anxiety, or under confidence may hamper performance. The thoughts and feelings experienced by athletes before, during or after performance builds an athlete’s ‘mental game’. Mind is as important as the body. Just like athletes train every day to improve technical skills and physical fitness, they need to train themselves mentally to improve their mental strength. Regardless of the sport, it is imperative to be prepared physically and mentally for both the best and the worst. It is crucial to deal with such situations in an effective manner. Regular mental training helps athletes cope with situations better and play well in challenging conditions. Besides, they become equipped with a set of skills to help them stay mentally healthy. According to the Association of Applied Sports Psychology (AASP), Sport and Exercise Psychology involves extending theory and research into the field to educate coaches, athletes, parents, exercisers, fitness professionals, and athletic trainers about the psychological aspects of their sport or activity. In the course of sport psychology's evolution from being a mere lab-based and experimental methodology to a field-based profession focused on helping athletes perform their best, there has been a growing focus on this profession since the 1970s. Sport Psychology as a field is a part of sport science as well as a branch of psychology. In sport, a Sport Psychologist works in collaboration with other professionals such as doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists among others to provide support to the athletes.
An athlete under stress for a competition may show physiological, cognitive, behavioural as well cognitive changes. Teeth grinding, clenching jaws, increased heart rate, indecisiveness, loss of coordination could be some of the signs. Neglecting signs of anxiety or stress may affect oral, physical or mental health in the long run. Injuries related to dental trauma, prevalent in certain sports may require sport dentists to work in collaboration with sport psychologists, as dental trauma may affect function and esthetics and indirectly, the social and psychological aspect of the individual.
Post injury an athlete is likely to go through periods of anxiety, frustration, impatience or other feelings which demand psychological support along with medical treatment or physiotherapy with regards to the kind and severity of an injury. In recent decades, an increasing number of athletes, teams, coaches, athletic departments, and sports organizations have sought the assistance of Sport Psychologists. This has helped improve their mental toughness, consistency, confidence, and performance. Sport psychologists with appropriate training are also regularly consulted to address mental health concerns of athletes such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse, among others, through individual and group therapy, as well as through prevention and outreach programs. A referral program maybe considered by the dentist if he/she suspects their athlete patients suffering from any such disorders as it may assist them in dental treatments as well.
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