The psychological self-training program of an elite athlete in the pre-Olympic period

Abstract

The article presents the case-study results of psychological self-training of an athlete – a member of the national women's biathlon team of Russia during the pre-Olympic period. The theoretical justification of psychological self-training has been given; it is based on approaches to self-management and self-efficacy as a personal resource of the athlete. The program of psychological self-training has been presented. The criteria for the effectiveness of the program are outlined and qualitative research results are also presented, including the use of leading coping-strategies and shooting results during the pre-Olympic season, as well as at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2022. The presented program can be recommended to athletes and coaches as an example of athletes’ inclusion in the process of psychological self-training.