Strategies to improve concentration in sports: a case study with an olympic hurdler
Abstract
Concentration is an important aspect to achieve good sports results. In sprinting events with a high technical demand, as the hurdle races, to pay attention to the task can directly influence performance. The aim of this case study was to verify if systematic use of visualization and self-talks at training, applied to a 100m hurdles athlete, could improve concentration and performance at competition. After the intervention, the athlete increased her speed in different phases of the race, but mostly at the one where she used to feel unable to be attentive to the task. This suggests that concentration training using visualization and self-talks, combined with physical and technical training, can improve performance.
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