Mental training supports physical condition: Expert

JAKARTA (JP): Physical training with the most advanced equipment and best programs will be useless if coaches and sports organization officials do not pay attention to athletes' psychological condition, said a sports psychologist.

Singgih Gunarsa, a professor of sports psychology at the University of Indonesia, was speaking at a sports psychology symposium at the Tarumanegara University in Jakarta on Saturday.

"Mental training in sports must be considered as important as physical training," he said.

Singgih said the mental training plan -- short-term and long- term training -- must be in accordance with the athletes' targets.

The mental training plan must also adjust to athletes' personality profiles and sports, he said. The mental training for archers would be completely different from boxers.

The training will cover self-confidence in athletes, especially when competing in a team event in which all team members have equal responsibility and can contribute equally to win the match.

Athletes were also urged to mentally face the possibility of being badly injured in a tournament. The visualization would help athletes overcome their fear of being injured.

Mental training would improve an athlete's performance, power and physical condition, Singgih said as quoted by Antara.

Singgih said psychology, as the science of human's attitudes, has proved to be reliable in improving athletes' performances and qualities.

Sports psychology is the study of how psychological factors influence an athlete's physical ability and also how a person's involvement in sports influences his or her personality.

Sports observers said the living example of this is badminton star Mia Audina. The 1996 Olympics silver medalist's performance has been decreasing in the last year due to her marriage with Surinamese Tylio Lobman, which was opposed by father Rivan Tjiptawan, and her mother's death.

Mia, 19, who sparked controversy with her statement that she was abused as a child, is still Indonesia's best hope for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, despite tougher competition in the women's singles.

At the symposium, Singgih received an award from the Sports Psychology Association for his contribution to the development of sports psychology in Indonesia. (yan)