Mental preparation - AQAMental preparation for a game
To succeed and perform their best, athletes need to use their minds as well as their bodies. Mental techniques help to control emotions, manage stress and improve participation and performance.
An athlete explains the importance of mental preparation
Case study – Preparing mentally for a game at home
In the run up to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014, Team Scotland focused on helping Scottish athletes to manage the additional pressure of performing in front of a home crowd. The team recognised that this could be a positive factor but that it could also raise athletes' levels of anxiety. They used a combination of science to measure brain activity and practical, simple tools to help athletes cope. It worked - Scotland won 53 medals during the Games, compared to 26 in the 2010 Games, in Delhi, India.
Image caption,
Men's singles lawn bowls gold medal-winner Darren Burnett (centre) celebrates his win with the men's fours gold medal-winning team, comprising (from left to right) David Peacock, Neil Speirs, Paul Foster and Alex Marshall