Gymnastics Psychology
Thomas Heinen
Institute of Sport Science, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany
Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), Lausanne, Switzerland
Search for more papers by this authorPia M. Vinken
Institute for Sport Teaching Skills, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Institute of Sport Science, Leibniz University, Hanover, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorKonstantinos Velentzas
Department of Sport Science, Bielefeld University, Bielefield, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorThomas Heinen
Institute of Sport Science, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany
Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), Lausanne, Switzerland
Search for more papers by this authorPia M. Vinken
Institute for Sport Teaching Skills, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Institute of Sport Science, Leibniz University, Hanover, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorKonstantinos Velentzas
Department of Sport Science, Bielefeld University, Bielefield, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorDennis J. Caine PhD
Professor and Interim Dean, Education and Human Development, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
Search for more papers by this authorKeith Russell PhD
President, Scientific Commission, Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG); Professor, College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorLiesbeth Lim MD
Former National Sports Physician of the Royal Dutch Gymnastics Federation, 1997–2012; Sports Physician, Sports Medical Advice Center Aalsmeer, Aalsmeer; Sports Medical Advice Center Annatommie (Centers for Orthopedics and Movement), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorSummary
This chapter focuses on psychological aspects of high-performance gymnastics. It is stated that the diverse observable behaviors in gymnastics result from the interplay of a person acting in a particular environment with regard to specific task demands. From this point of view, the general intention of gymnastics psychology is to optimize individual gymnasts' person–task–environment fit for the attainment of peak performance. In light of this intention, psychological influences and performance-related demands as well as coaching and intervention strategies are discussed and subjected to applicable procedures for coaches, gymnasts, and scientists.
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