Investigating the Optimal Psychological State for Peak Performance in Australian Elite Athletes
- 15 April 2014
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Journal of Applied Sport Psychology
- Vol. 26 (3), 318-333
- https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2014.885915
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal psychological state for peak performance in Australian elite athletes. World championship and Olympic athletes (n = 17) and coaches (n = 6) from rowing, swimming, and diving were interviewed about the psychological states that contribute to peak performance. Results indicated that peak performance is characterized by the automatic execution of performance. A proposed model for the optimal psychological state identifies self-regulation, control, and trust as processes that assist athletes to transition from experiencing a diversity of psychological factors during competition to the automatic psychological state of peak performance.Keywords
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