Sport and Competition

In social psychology, we call the “What if” game counterfactual thinking (CT). Essentially, CT involves imagining what could have been, typically after a negative outcome. In a classic study, Medvec, Madey, and Gilovich coded the facial expressions of Olympic medalists. Not surprisingly, Gold medalists exhibited the most joy. However..... Read More

A few posts ago, I reported on one of the newest and most colorful invention of popular culture-the Lingerie Football League. For some, it is one-step above (or below) women's mud wrestling; for others, an affront to feminine sensibility; for still others, it represents liberation, equality and opportunity. Read More

Is it possible to train yourself for crises and stressful events the way law enforcement and the military do? Understanding and harnessing the impact of adrenaline can help. Read More

 More than 20% of Americans have used, or are using, an illicit drug of some sort. Still, most seem to be okay with it. It's time we changed our focus in the newly re-thought drug-war and started looking at the critical issues of addiction. Read More

What's Greg Oden apologizing for? He's twenty-two years old. Unmarried. A great athlete. Looks pretty good in the buff, I'm guessing . . . . What, exactly, is his crime here? Read More

The season of world-class athletic competition is upon us, with the X Games launching next week and the Winter Olympics following next month. For competitors, the pressure can yield world-record breaking performances -- or catastrophic collapse. Read More

Here they are - some tried and true ways to improve your performance:

• Work on your focus; you know, don't take your eye off the ball.
• Develop a clear goal; like getting a promotion at work or running the NY marathon.
• Break your goal into smaller steps. No one goes from couch potato to running 26.2 miles in one try; but you can go from running around the block to running around town, to finally running that marathon.
• And, finally, reward yourself for your efforts - whether it's celebrating milestones with your buddies or buying the new Blue Ray TV you've always wanted.

These are all good pieces of advice. But they miss one very important element... Read More

Prime intensity is the ideal amount of physiological activity necessary for you to perform your best. It is also the level of intensity that you perceive as most positive and beneficial to your sports performances. Unfortunately, there is no one ideal level of intensity for every athlete. Prime intensity is individual; it's different for everyone. Some athletes perform best relaxed. Others perform best energized, but not too psyched up. Still others perform best unbelievably intense and fired up. You must find out the level of intensity that enables you to perform your best. Read More

The Olympic torch is marching-well, running-inexorably toward Vancouver, Canada. The Winter Olympics are bearing down on us. If you're an athlete, coach, parent, or sports fan, this countdown is well under way. Read More