Behind good performance in sports stands the psychology of it. According to psychology teacher Saul Mcleod, "Sports psychology is the study of psychological factors that influence athletic performance and how participation in sports and exercise can affect the psychological and physical well-being of athletes." Researchers working in this field study how athletic performance can be optimized and mood/stress levels can be improved.
#3
It is not only the professional athletes that sports psychologists work with. They help coaches, performers, organizations or generally anyone who exercises. It can be considered mental training alongside physical training and this combination is crucial in achieving athletic goals.
The techniques of sports psychology include goal setting, pre-performance routines, self-talk and progressive muscle relaxation. Goal setting is self explanatory. The important thing is that they're measurable and realistic. Pre-performance routines are athletes' actions or behaviors that they implement before the show/performance. They increase stability and predictability. Self-talk is similar. It involves inner thoughts and monologues. Progressive muscle relaxation is alternating between tensing and relaxing muscles. It helps lower blood pressure, decrease stress and anxiety.
There are many unheard of and funny sports with people engaging in hilarious feats that you've never seen before. They push the boundaries of what you thought was possible. For example, bathtubbing - racing in bathtubs. They can have a propeller or be paddled like a canoe. There are world championships of this unusual sport with many cheering fans.
Another unheard of competition is the 'Baby Olympics', where young kids between the ages of 2-4 participate in various competitions. It was held by the Bahrain Olympic Committee in 2018 in order to inspire kids to get into sports. There were crawling and walking contests, and some more traditional ones like gymnastics, football, and basketball.
The last funny sport: the beer mile. It is a race where you have to run a mile while drinking a beer. It first took place in Canada, in 1989. The drink has to be a 12 US ounce (300 ml) can of beer, of at least 5% alcohol. The one who first finishes the mile and their drink wins.
