Exercise and Sport Science NewsRelease

GOULD KEYNOTES WORLD CONGRESS ON OLYMPIC ATHLETES' MENTAL CONDITIONING

GREENSBORO — Dr. Dan Gould, a professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, knows it takes both physical talent and mental conditioning for a world-class athlete to become successful in the Olympics.

Dr. Dan Gould

The Bank of America Excellence Professor explained his research findings during an invited keynote address to the 10th World Congress of Sport Psychology in Skathos Island, Greece, last month. Gould's address, "The Psychology of Olympic Excellence" summarized his 20-year research on the mental attributes of athletic success.

Gould's presentation also included his and students' latest research, which examines how 10 of America's most successful Olympic champions developed their psychological talent. The study identified psychological characteristics, such as the ability to focus and optimism, Olympic medal winners possessed and what experiences influenced their mental development. Preliminary results indicate that coaching practices, exposure to high-level athlete models, personal growth, family involvement and child-rearing practices influenced the athletes' mental conditioning.

In addition to his keynote address, Gould organized a symposium, "Expanding the Psychology of Excellence." The talks allowed leading researchers from the United Kingdom and France to discuss how research on athletes' peak performance can be used with other groups such as military special-forces units and business leaders. Over 600 participants from 70 countries attended the five-day Congress.

 A UNCG faculty member since 1988, Gould's area of expertise focuses on mental training for athletic competition and sport psychology. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education in 1999. He has been a consultant for the U.S. Olympic Committee and U.S. Freestyle Ski Team for several years. Gould is co-author of two books, "Understanding Psychological Preparation for Sport" and "Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology."

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