Athletes to undergo psychological tests

Athletes to undergo psychological tests

JAKARTA (JP): Members of Indonesia's Southeast Asian (SEA)
Games squad will undergo psychological tests for only the third
time in the country's Games history, with the tests being
designed to determine whether they have the strengths that are
necessary for improving their performances.

"The tests will observe their adaptability, concentration,
intelligence and analytical-synthesis abilities. The results will
then be dispatched to coaches complete with psychological
recommendations," the National Sports Council (KONI) psychologist
Rosa Hertamina told reporters during a weekly briefing on
Thursday.

"Jakarta-based athletes will take the tests on Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday. We'll arrange different times for athletes
training in other cities."

Sadly, KONI only has nine psychologists to handle the
approximately 600 athletes from 29 sports who will be competing
at the Sept. 8 to Sept. 17 Games in Kuala Lumpur. The number is
far from sufficient.

"Ideally, each sport must have two psychologists to enable
them to closely monitor athletes' problems. So far, only four
sports have their own psychologists: archery, athletics, target
shooting and volleyball," Rosa said.

"Now each psychologist is handling two or three sports and is
scheduled to handle each sport twice a week. We are also always
ready if there are any problems."

All psychologists are working together with coaches to monitor
athletes progress.

"Coaches know the athletes much better and are involved with
them in their day-to-day activities. We expect the coaches to be
able to handle minor problems. We have provided them with short
courses and practical guidelines to solve the athletes problems,"
Rosa said.

"So far, we have yet to face any serious problems. But we are
expecting higher stress levels in the two to three weeks prior to
the Games."

"We have taught athletes as well as coaches about relaxation
and visualization techniques to lessen the stress."

Nutritionist Leane Suniar, who also attended the briefing,
said that generally none of the athletes had any problems with
their food intake.

"We have set a calorie standard for them. For example, they
must consume two grams of protein for each of kilogram of body
weight," she said.

"But sometimes athletes get bored with the menu, especially
those staying at the Century Park Athlete Hotel. We provide
additional snacks three times a day to reduce the boredom."

"Our biggest problem is providing food for the boxers staying
in the Graha Wisata at Ragunan Sports School, South Jakarta. The
management only provides limited food so as to get a bigger
profit," added Leane, saying that KONI would distribute milk
contributed by Japfa Comfeed to the boxers in an effort to
improve their meals. (nvn)