Lewis Walker

Peak Performance Psychology for Endurance Athletes

Increasingly, across the globe, coaches and athletes are coming to a key realisation: in the battle for podium placings in major competitions, where, as a 'ticket of admission', event finalists have very similar physiological profiles, the 'difference that really makes the difference' between medalling and being an also-ran is psychological preparation. The progressively unrelenting urge to slow down and stop needs effective counter-strategies. Peak Performance Psychology for Endurance Athletes is unique in pulling fundamental theory and science-based practice together in a new multidisciplinary psycho-physiological model: The Performance Space. Building on four theories- self-efficacy, revised reinforcement sensitivity, theory of challenge and threat states in athletes and the psychobiological model of endurance-this model aids skilful navigation through the seemingly complex interaction between personality, psychological skills, emotional regulation and self-monitoring. The end-result is practical and easily incorporated methods to elicit high-performance states and behaviours that can be maintained from the beginning to the end of an event. Key highlights include: turning threat into challenge, building belief, using imagery, self-talk and goal pursuit in a unified process, ideal performance states, staying on track, developing resilience, as well as presenting numerous athlete examples to bring the model to life for easy assimilation. Written for performance psychologists, coaches, elite and recreational athletes, this is a go-to-text for tools that can be integrated into all aspects of training and racing.