Summary Factors that influence the mental demands of a given sport

Introducing Sport and Exercise Psychology
Figure 1:3: "What factors influence the mental demands of a
given sport?
Although a considerable amount of research has been conducted on mental factors in athletic
performance, surprisingly little discussion has taken place about the various factors that determine the
mental challenge posed by a given athletic activity.What follows is a brief analysis of this important issue
see also Moran, 2000a.At the outset, it is widely agreed that sports differ significantly in the physical
demands that they make of performers.For example, sprinting requires a short burst of explosive power
whereas marathon running demands not only great stamina but also the ability to maintain a steady
pace throughout the race.Interestingly, research on marathon runners indicates that they can lose up to
8 per cent of their body mass during the race Cooper, 2003.

Best Line:
Factors influence the mental demands of a given sport Although a considerable amount of research has
been conducted on mental factors in athletic performance, surprisingly little discussion has taken place
about the various factors that determine the mental challenge posed by a given athletic activity.