Psychological skills training for competitive wheelchair and amputee athletes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a mental skills training program for athletes with physical disabilities. A group of six internationally competitive wheelchair and amputee athletes participated in a mental skills training program which was developed on the basis of their self-reported psychological skills. The program included goal setting, controlling arousal levels, developing concentration and attention skills, imagery, self-talk, self-confidence, competition preparation, and controlling problem situations. Taking into account changes in knowledge and use of the various skills, the mental skills sessions on imagery, positive self-talk, and controlling problem situations had the greatest impact on the subjects from a purely quantitative point of view. On a qualitative basis, it was found that abdominal breathing exercises provided concentration and relaxation benefits for athletes with no use of abdominal muscles, that personalised progressive muscular relaxation tapes may be beneficial for some, and that whether or not an amputee is wearing the prosthesis influences their imagery skills.