EFFECT OF MENTAL SKILLS TRAINING ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ELITE SPORTSMEN

सार

Research Background: Among elite competitors, physical conditioning and technical mastery by themselves cannot guarantee peak performance outcomes. Contemporary sport psychology research emphasizes how mental preparation plays a vital role in competitive success. Elite athletes encounter psychological challenges including pressure, high expectations, and nervousness, all of which can substantially impact their results. Mental training programs have developed as systematic methods to enhance athletes' thinking, emotional, and behavioural abilities. Strategies such as target setting, mental imagery, positive self-dialogue, focus enhancement, mindfulness practices, and emotion management assist athletes in staying concentrated, handling pressure, developing self-assurance, and maintaining reliable performance during demanding competitive moments.

Objectives: The study aimed to identify psychological skills that influence elite athletes’ performance, examine how Mental skills training improves focus and concentration, explore the role of self-confidence and emotional control in performance, and explain how Mental skills training enhances overall athletic outcomes.

Procedure: The investigation used a theoretical approach utilizing existing research data. Academic literature covering sport psychology, including Mental Skills Framework and Self-Efficacy concepts, underwent thorough examination. Essential factors like self-assurance, attention, focus, emotion control, and psychological resilience received detailed analysis. Mental training methods and their effects on thinking, emotional, and behavioural performance during competition were assessed.

Conclusions: Psychological abilities, encompassing self-assurance, attention, emotion management, and mental resilience, serve essential functions in elite competitors' success. Mental training programs enhance concentration, adaptability, and judgment during pressure situations. Methods including target establishment, visualization, self-dialogue, and mindfulness practices improve performance reliability and overall achievement. Incorporating mental training into competitive programs delivers quantifiable advantages, helping elite athletes reach optimal performance while preserving psychological health.