Sports psychology is the study of how the brain and body influence the athlete’s overall performance. Athletes who use sports psychology seek to enhance their performance by overcoming mental barriers through new mindful strategies.

Saybrook University offers a Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology, which can help graduates work toward a career in sports psychology with the opportunity to work with professional athletes. The graduate degree in sports psychology aims to educate students on how to help athletes of all levels achieve optimal sports physiology and enhance their competitive performance.

Athletes Who Use Sports Psychology

Many professional athletes have turned to mindfulness to enhance their athletic performance and manage the pressures and intensity of competing at high levels. Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal are notable NBA athletes who used mindful techniques to sharpen their focus and mental health throughout their careers.

By weaving in mental practices such as meditation, these national athletes could stay present in the most intense games, reduce stress, and perform their best under extreme pressure. These NBA stars pay tribute to their success and how sports psychologist George Mumford introduced them to mindfulness techniques. They are taught how mental health can be a powerful tool for athletes striving for clarity and enhancing competitive performance.

Athletes such as Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Mia Hamm, and Simone Biles have all brought attention to the mental health aspect of competing at the professional level, on national teams, or at the Olympics. These athletes have used sports psychologists to help their athletic careers.

  • Tom Brady is a former professional football player who played for the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his college athletic career at Michigan University, Tom Brady worked with famous sports psychologist Greg Harden to help him develop a more resilient and focused mindset.
  • Russell Wilson is a professional football player who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He openly speaks about his use of the sports psychologist Trevor Moawad, who helped him maintain his mental health and performance under the pressure of competing in the NFL through mental conditioning practices.
  • Mia Hamm is one of the most famous female soccer players. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, earned one silver medal, and is a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion. Hamm has expressed the importance of mental preparation and techniques she and her teammates started using in the 1996 Olympic Games. Dr. Colleen Hacker was a sports psychologist for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team from 1995 to 2004, helping them win their Olympic medals.
  • Simone Biles, the GOAT, has earned seven gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals while competing for Team USA in the Olympics. Biles earned 30 World Championship medals, making her the most decorated gymnast in history. With her success, she has felt the pressures of competition at such a high level on her mental health, leading her to seek professional help. She has spoken about her use of sports psychologists, especially when she withdrew from a few events at the Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health. Biles has emphasized the importance of mental health for athletes at all levels, not just at the professional or Olympic platform. She has used Robert Andrews to work on mindfulness and confidence to realize her potential to become a successful world champion.

How Do Athletes Use Sports Psychologists?

Athletes use sports psychologists to enhance their mental game, improve performance, and maintain overall well-being. Some athletes learn strategies to use their bodies more efficiently and others want to confront their fears after recovering from an injury.

Here are five common areas of sports psychology for athletes to enhance their performance:

  • Mental Toughness: mental strength is the blend of psychological characteristics that help athletes reach optimal performance: strong self-confidence, the ability to process and adapt to setbacks, the drive and discipline to succeed, and staying calm, collected, and focused under pressure.
  • Goal Setting: Visualizing short-term goals needed to help athletes achieve their long-term goals can help them feel more confident and in control of their performance. The blend of long- and short-term goals allows athletes to feel less pressured and calmer and more focused before they compete.
  • Stress and Anxiety: Performance anxiety, burnout, and stress before, during, or after the game can hinder the athlete’s performance. Sports psychologists use relaxation techniques to change negative self-talk, build confidence, and restore balance, which can help prevent psychological detriment in an athlete’s performance.
  • Motivation and Team Building: Positive self-talk, confidence-building techniques, and motivational practices can help strengthen an athlete’s self-efficacy and boost team morale.
  • Recovery and Rehabilitation: Sports psychologists help athletes cope mentally with injuries and maintain a positive mindset while on the sidelines through mental recovery strategies and rehab short-term and long-term goals.

     How To Become a Sport Psychologist at the Professional Level

To become a sports psychologist for professional athletes and Olympians, follow these five steps.

  • Undergraduate Degree: Obtain a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sports performance, sports psychology, or sports science.
  • Graduate Degree: Complete your master’s and doctoral degrees in sports psychology.
  • Practical Experience: Complete hands-on experience that requires working with athletes and sports teams through internships, practicums, and research.
  • Licensure and Certification: Obtain the required licensure and certifications from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), such as the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC).
  • Professional Development involves attending workshops, conferences, and professional development courses and joining professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) for networking opportunities.

Saybrook University offers an online master’s degree in sports psychology, teaching graduates to empower athletes and performers to achieve their highest potential despite the high intensity and competition. This graduate sports psychology program combines traditional sports psychology with the mind-body sciences of psychophysiology for a comprehensive understanding of how the brain and body can influence an athlete’s performance.

Join Saybrook’s Master of Science in Sport Performance Psychology Program

Saybrook University’s M.S. in Sport and Performance program has a foundation in psychophysiology for a comprehensive understanding of how the mind and body work together to influence human behavior and how those interactions can affect the athlete’s performance and recovery. Join now to work toward your career goal of working with famous athletes as a sports psychologist.