Mental preparation of olympic and paralympic swimmers : performance-related cognitions and emotions, and the techniques used to manage them

Purpose: The present study investigated the cognitions and emotions of swimmers,and explored the psychological techniques they use to manage these internal processes prior to and during their best and worst performances. Method: Seven Paralympic and five Olympic male Brazilian swimmers took part in this qualitative study. A semi-structured interview with open-ended questions was conducted to explore how swimmers interpreted and experienced specific competitive events and what they did to manage their internal processes, prior to and during what they considered to be their best and worst performances. The process of data analysis included inductive and deductive approaches. Cognitive therapy…