Five key factors contribute to success in cognitive sport: technique, physical condition, psychological state, nutrition, and equipment. At the highest level, competitive pressures are as much psychological as physical, although attempts to describe the ideal personality for a competitive athlete have failed miserably. Recognition of women as sporting celebrities has generated interest in the socalled fear of success phenomenon, while some evidence suggests that fear of success may be increasing among men. Players and coaches need to be aware that mood changes can be reflected in performance outcome and that precompetition mood can be used as one of several selection criteria. Mood measurement can help to monitor staleness and overtraining, producing a similar pattern to that illustrated among premenstrual syndrome sufferers. The sport psychologist can contribute positively to the attainment of goals that performers and coaches set, and psychological techniques can facilitate the preparation of high ability sport performers.
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