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Preparing
the Mind
Injury Support
Contact Us
UPMC’s Mental Training Program helps athletes to focus their minds
on delivering consistent athletic performances and to balance sport with
other aspects of their lives. Mental training can be provided in both
team and individual settings.
Services include:
- sport-specific
mental training techniques
- visualization
and positive self-talk instruction
- teambuilding and
group facilitation
- motivational counseling
and goal setting education
- coaching consultation
- stress management
instruction
- concentration
and confidence enhancement methods
- emotional control
and cognitive regulation techniques
- injury support
- parent education
Our program services are backed by the expertise of UPMC Sports Medicine
— one of the world's top sports medicine programs — and the
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic
Surgery - ranked
among the top orthopaedic programs in the nation by U.S. News & World
Report.
Preparing the Mind
While an elite athlete can spend countless hours training his or her body,
too often, little time or attention is devoted to preparing the mind for
the challenges and demands of sport. Because an athlete's state of mind
can significantly affect his or her performance or the eventual outcome
of competition, developing strong mental skills can help athletes of all
levels searching for a competitive advantage.
Some of the influences affecting an athlete's state of mind include:
- the pressure and
desire to win
- managing a unique
and busy schedule
- past success or
failure in competition
- injuries and rehabilitation
- expectations of
coaches, parents, or sponsors
Top athletes tend to deliver their best performances when they are physically
relaxed and mentally focused. Mental training instruction can help athletes
better withstand the pressures associated with competition by teaching
them to:
- mentally prepare
for competition
- manage emotions
that affect performance
- improve dedication
and commitment
- increase their
sport enjoyment
- optimize self-confidence
- respond better
to adversity
- avoid sport burnout
- increase ability
to cope with competitive stress
- enhance the quality
of practice
Given the expectations and popularity associated with professional and
top amateur sports today, addressing the mental aspects of competition
is becoming essential for athletes looking to improve their performance.
Injury Support
Mental training is not just for active athletes; it is also for athletes
who have been sidelined with an injury or athletes who might have experienced
a career-ending injury.
Mental training services
for injured athletes include:
- imagery to enhance
the recovery process
- mental training
to minimize performance decrements
- goal setting during
injury rehabilitation
- mental training
for a successful return to competition
- support and assistance
to help cope with the transition away from sport
- relaxation and
stress management
Contact Us
For more information on UPMC's Mental Training Program or to schedule
an appointment with Aimee
Kimball, PhD, call 412-432-3777 or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).
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