海角直播

Improving England鈥檚 mental toughness in sport

England鈥檚 football squad lacked mental toughness during this year鈥檚 world cup. So says Dr Jim Golby, who will be putting this opinion forward in a free lecture at the University of 海角直播 on Tuesday 17 October. Entitled 鈥楪etting the top six inches right鈥� the lecture will start at 5.00pm in the Clarendon Building, room CL1.87, first floor, School of Social Sciences & Law. It is open to the general public

Dr Golby鈥檚 talk will last for 40 minutes, followed by questions from the audience. Refreshments will be available earlier in the foyer of the School of Social Sciences & Law from 4.30pm. The psychological factors involved in sports performance will be explored, focusing on selected sports, such as swimming, rugby league and rugby union. Dr Golby is Head of Research in Sport and Exercise in the School of Social Sciences & Law. He will refer to his, and his colleague Dr Mike Sheard鈥檚 published articles from the last six years, including research published in the USA, Europe and the UK.

Dr Golby said: 鈥淥ne of the reasons for this research was England鈥檚 repeated failure to perform across a range of sports at top level. When England missed those important penalties it was clear the players鈥� mental toughness and mental preparation was not adequate. The problem wasn鈥檛 the kicking of the football; it was what was (or was not) going on in their heads. The lecture will be of interest to all sportsmen and women and anyone with just an interest in sport. 鈥淭he factors I鈥檒l be looking at include mental toughness, attitude and self esteem from a positive psychological perspective. I鈥檒l also be discussing whether mental toughness differs between different sporting nations, different sports or at different levels of performance. The lecture will also examine the potential role of genetics. All of these issues are part of a long-term, on-going research project.鈥�

The lecture starts the School of Social Sciences & Law鈥檚 Twilight Research Series, which finish in May 2007.

For more information contact Dr Golby on 01642 342324 or e-mail j.golby@tees.ac.uk

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