Integrated Sport Psychology Support: A Case Study in Motor Sport.

Abstract

This article shares a joint reflection of three practitioners who provided specialist support to one elite motor sport athlete. The nine-month programme began with the broad aim of making the driver better prepared for performance at the highest level using the practitioners’ experience. One practitioner specialized in athlete wellbeing and performance support, another in vision/perceptual training, and the final practitioner in heart rate variability. The practitioners developed a bespoke programme of support including vision training, slow-paced breathing, and self-awareness. Programme effectiveness was determined through objective measures such as physiological readings and subjective measures, including feedback from the driver and performance coach. Evaluation and reflections of the programme suggest that the athlete successfully learnt slow-paced breathing, improved functional vision, and enhanced pre-performance preparation and in-race regulation. The athlete also perceived the support to be beneficial and had the desire to develop mind-body effectiveness in the future.