Athletes to undergo psychological tests<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Members of Indonesia's Southeast Asian (SEA)
\nGames squad will undergo psychological tests for only the third
\ntime in the country's Games history, with the tests being
\ndesigned to determine whether they have the strengths that are
\nnecessary for improving their performances.<\/p>\n
\"The tests will observe their adaptability, concentration,
\nintelligence and analytical-synthesis abilities. The results will
\nthen be dispatched to coaches complete with psychological
\nrecommendations,\" the National Sports Council (KONI) psychologist
\nRosa Hertamina told reporters during a weekly briefing on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
\"Jakarta-based athletes will take the tests on Monday, Tuesday
\nand Wednesday. We'll arrange different times for athletes
\ntraining in other cities.\"<\/p>\n
Sadly, KONI only has nine psychologists to handle the
\napproximately 600 athletes from 29 sports who will be competing
\nat the Sept. 8 to Sept. 17 Games in Kuala Lumpur. The number is
\nfar from sufficient.<\/p>\n
\"Ideally, each sport must have two psychologists to enable
\nthem to closely monitor athletes' problems. So far, only four
\nsports have their own psychologists: archery, athletics, target
\nshooting and volleyball,\" Rosa said.<\/p>\n
\"Now each psychologist is handling two or three sports and is
\nscheduled to handle each sport twice a week. We are also always
\nready if there are any problems.\"<\/p>\n
All psychologists are working together with coaches to monitor
\nathletes progress.<\/p>\n
\"Coaches know the athletes much better and are involved with
\nthem in their day-to-day activities. We expect the coaches to be
\nable to handle minor problems. We have provided them with short
\ncourses and practical guidelines to solve the athletes problems,\"
\nRosa said.<\/p>\n
\"So far, we have yet to face any serious problems. But we are
\nexpecting higher stress levels in the two to three weeks prior to
\nthe Games.\"<\/p>\n
\"We have taught athletes as well as coaches about relaxation
\nand visualization techniques to lessen the stress.\"<\/p>\n
Nutritionist Leane Suniar, who also attended the briefing,
\nsaid that generally none of the athletes had any problems with
\ntheir food intake.<\/p>\n
\"We have set a calorie standard for them. For example, they
\nmust consume two grams of protein for each of kilogram of body
\nweight,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"But sometimes athletes get bored with the menu, especially
\nthose staying at the Century Park Athlete Hotel. We provide
\nadditional snacks three times a day to reduce the boredom.\"<\/p>\n
\"Our biggest problem is providing food for the boxers staying
\nin the Graha Wisata at Ragunan Sports School, South Jakarta. The
\nmanagement only provides limited food so as to get a bigger
\nprofit,\" added Leane, saying that KONI would distribute milk
\ncontributed by Japfa Comfeed to the boxers in an effort to
\nimprove their meals. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/athletes-to-undergo-psychological-tests-1447893297",
"image": ""
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