FIGHTING COMPETITION STRESS BY FOCUSING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAINING ON THE VIGOR-ACTIVITY MOOD STATES

Abstract

The worldwide improvement of the results in the middle distance and long distance track and field events, the "increase" of the participation norms (implying the increase of the number of training tasks, of the duration of the training lesson, of the effort support and control measures, of the risks of energy depletion, or of injury), the limitation of access of a large number of athletes in certain important competitions, and, of course, the international economic crisis, are just a few factors that contribute to the increase of competition stress, against which the athletes should fight, trying to diminish its effects as much as possible. One of the means at our disposal is the psychological training, specially adapted to the athlete's individual characteristics, to the characteristics of the athletic event, or of the competition. This paper aims to highlight certain original aspects regarding the effects of a specific psychological training program on the mood states characterized by psychological activation, vigor, vitality. The subjects were represented by 12 professional middle distance and long distance runners, subjected to an applicative intervention to which they have participated voluntarily, over the course of 6 months (a competition season).