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 language | English |
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Title of host publication | Complete Irish Dancer |
Subtitle of host publication | Optimization of Health and Performance in Irish Dancers |
Publisher | Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
Pages | 99-116 |
Number of pages | 18 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781536173895 |
Publication status | Published - 12 Feb 2020 |