Everyone that has raced a bike has choked at some point, but you can deal with your own head and focus with the right preparation.
William Tyne is a 26-year old postgraduate currently studying a Masters in Sport & Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University. Having competed in downhill mountain biking from the age of 14 years old and all too familiar with the concept of ‘choking under pressure’.
In the article below, William discusses strategies riders can implement into their training to make them more psychologically resilient when competing.
The ability to perform at your best under pressurised conditions is without question one of the most important skills to develop for sporting success, however, it is incredibly hard to do so. A way in which you can improve your ability to perform under competitive settings is becoming more psychologically resilient. psychological resilience refers to the ability for an individual to utilise their mental processes and behaviours to withstand or adapt to environmental demands.
How can you develop psychological resilience?
To become more psychologically resilient, it is essential to develop your personal qualities, create a facilitative environment and build a challenge mindset.
Personal qualities are viewed as the psychological factors that protect you from the potential negative effects of stress and pressure. Integrating psychological skills training into your training programme is the best way to develop personal qualities.
Psychological skills are strategies that enhance and optimise functioning. Three skills which I believe to be of greatest use for cyclists are: goal setting, imagery and attentional control. Goal setting. Arguably the most important skill to achieving success.
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From Wide Open MTB
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