02.08.2017
First of all, I’m a fan of (sports) psychologists ! And I practice what I preach. For example, for my own tennis, I worked together with a sports psychologist: I thought it was at least as important (and maybe yield a higher return on financial investment) to train my mental skills as my technical skills, for which I took a lot of lessons (which are not for free…). I am also grateful for the ‘lessons for life’ that I have learned from other psychologists, in times that I faced more existential questions (anorexia nervosa, relationships).
Apart from these very personal experiences, but rather as an exercise physiologist and physical trainer, I think I have an idea about ‘the limits of human physical performance’. It is not by coincidence that I dedicated 1 of 4 chapters of my book entirely to (sports) psychology. I am also honored that I had already a few times the opportunity to teach the basics of exercise physiology and training methodology to postgraduate students sports psychology at the university of Leuven (KUL). In addition, in the team of our practice, we also have a sports psychologist. And as a physical trainer, it wouldn’t be the first time that I refer to, or work together with, such a ‘mental coach’. By the way, now that it has been mentioned, we should be cautious with ‘experience experts’ or ‘gurus’. However, this a contemporary problem, that also applies to eg. physical trainers: the profession is not ‘protected’ (by law), some certificates are very relative, and this yields one of my tips for today.
In fact, I have two messages for sports psychologists:
1. (How to) break the taboo. Because that’s what still surrounds psychology. It might be better than 50 years ago, but there is still too much shame in this world ! We all are human, we all have shortcomings and similar needs. Sooner or later we all need (true) ‘coaches’ (such as you, professionals, but sometimes our parents, children, wife or husband will take that place). It is my opinion that this problem won’t be solved by keeping on doing mysteriously. Every professional has its secrecy and confidentiality, that’s not an excuse to shut up and remain silent. Even if you know someone up to his underpants, you can attend a meeting, race or training sessions in public. Some of your colleagues do that already, and I think they are an example. If you are being paid for that presence, the better for you. If not, be sure that it will be appreciated. True 'coaches' show up, especially when the going gets tough. And don’t be surprised that it’s only the physical trainer who gets the ‘likes’ on Facebook: he probably was there. For free.
2. Do not rely blindly on the physical trainer. Don’t trust me, don’t trust anyone. I do not only say that to you psychologists, I also say that to my own athletes. No one owns the truth, never forget to use your own common sense ! Just because you have all kinds of physical trainers – certified or not at all, experienced or not at all, full-time or part-time – you can never be sure of someone's knowhow and engagement. Scrutinize the approach, ask questions, challenge the physical coach. The better coach will know his why and even approve your reflections. I agree that it is much easier said than done, but ‘training mistakes’ do exist, even at a surprisingly high level (eg. in many sports still a lot of ‘old school’ methods are being adopted). Probably, next year I will have the opportunity again to teach the sports psychologists in spe, and I am already thinking about reorganizing my classes. Instead of just teaching the ‘vocabulary of the exercise physiologist’ in the classical way, my students can prepare for practical questions about some specific issues and ‘pitfalls’. I am already looking forward !
With kind regards,
Karel
#TrainHardButSmart
Apart from these very personal experiences, but rather as an exercise physiologist and physical trainer, I think I have an idea about ‘the limits of human physical performance’. It is not by coincidence that I dedicated 1 of 4 chapters of my book entirely to (sports) psychology. I am also honored that I had already a few times the opportunity to teach the basics of exercise physiology and training methodology to postgraduate students sports psychology at the university of Leuven (KUL). In addition, in the team of our practice, we also have a sports psychologist. And as a physical trainer, it wouldn’t be the first time that I refer to, or work together with, such a ‘mental coach’. By the way, now that it has been mentioned, we should be cautious with ‘experience experts’ or ‘gurus’. However, this a contemporary problem, that also applies to eg. physical trainers: the profession is not ‘protected’ (by law), some certificates are very relative, and this yields one of my tips for today.
In fact, I have two messages for sports psychologists:
1. (How to) break the taboo. Because that’s what still surrounds psychology. It might be better than 50 years ago, but there is still too much shame in this world ! We all are human, we all have shortcomings and similar needs. Sooner or later we all need (true) ‘coaches’ (such as you, professionals, but sometimes our parents, children, wife or husband will take that place). It is my opinion that this problem won’t be solved by keeping on doing mysteriously. Every professional has its secrecy and confidentiality, that’s not an excuse to shut up and remain silent. Even if you know someone up to his underpants, you can attend a meeting, race or training sessions in public. Some of your colleagues do that already, and I think they are an example. If you are being paid for that presence, the better for you. If not, be sure that it will be appreciated. True 'coaches' show up, especially when the going gets tough. And don’t be surprised that it’s only the physical trainer who gets the ‘likes’ on Facebook: he probably was there. For free.
2. Do not rely blindly on the physical trainer. Don’t trust me, don’t trust anyone. I do not only say that to you psychologists, I also say that to my own athletes. No one owns the truth, never forget to use your own common sense ! Just because you have all kinds of physical trainers – certified or not at all, experienced or not at all, full-time or part-time – you can never be sure of someone's knowhow and engagement. Scrutinize the approach, ask questions, challenge the physical coach. The better coach will know his why and even approve your reflections. I agree that it is much easier said than done, but ‘training mistakes’ do exist, even at a surprisingly high level (eg. in many sports still a lot of ‘old school’ methods are being adopted). Probably, next year I will have the opportunity again to teach the sports psychologists in spe, and I am already thinking about reorganizing my classes. Instead of just teaching the ‘vocabulary of the exercise physiologist’ in the classical way, my students can prepare for practical questions about some specific issues and ‘pitfalls’. I am already looking forward !
With kind regards,
Karel
#TrainHardButSmart