Supporting psychological wellness for superior performance

Mark Campbell, Nollaig O'Sullivan, Róisín Cahalan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The importance of robust psychological health in an elite competitive environment cannot be overstated. There is existing evidence in Irish dancing (ID) to support an association between injury, and several factors including low mood, catastrophizing, and a higher number of psychological issues. Interviews with dancers and teachers have identified an absence of psychological skills training to support their management of these problems. In a competitive setting, dancers often suffer from crippling performance anxiety, which is dichotomized into somatic (physical symptoms) and cognitive (mental symptoms) anxiety. Strategies such as goal setting and positive self-talk can help the dancer to overcome these challenges. Developing dancer resilience to help deal with the inevitable disappointments inherent in competitive ID is extremely important. A range of mental techniques can help build resilience, and these strategies may also be adopted by parents and teachers to support their own mental health and well-being.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationComplete Irish Dancer
Subtitle of host publicationOptimization of Health and Performance in Irish Dancers
PublisherNova Science Publishers, Inc.
Pages99-116
Number of pages18
ISBN (Print)9781536173895
Publication statusPublished - 12 Feb 2020

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