Integrate sports psychology and training
Keerthana believes INSPA will act as a bridge between the two and help athletes improve their performance
Sports is often viewed as a pursuit of physical excellence. Athletes in every field are trained physically, technically and tactically from a young age. There is not much emphasis on mental training at an early age, especially in the Indian context.
It is thus catching up time for most of the athletes, at a later stage, as they pursue sports at higher levels.
The body may be tuned for excellent performance, but it is the mind that decides what happens.
Taking the lead
In such a scenario, it was indeed heartening to find the initiative by sports psychologist Keerthana Swaminathan, a young professional, taking the lead to first form the Indian Sports Psychologists Association (INSPA) and hold a twoday conference, not only bringing together the experts in the field, but also all other experts connected to sports in different ways, for a collaborative exercise to find the way forward for Indian sports on the whole.
The conference, hosted at the International Institute of Sports Management (IISM) in Mumbai, was aptly named, “Mind The Gap”. The focus was to help the experts bridge the gap and work as a cohesive unit in pursuit of mental excellence which would automatically lead to athletes shining bright.
“The motivation behind organising INSPA and convening a conference was not only done with the aim of looking at the evolving landscape of sports psychology in India, but also from a desire to address the gap in the field. Having practised for some time, I realised the value of gatherings where professionals exchange ideas and experience. Additionally, receiving numerous enquiries from students and aspiring sports psychologists highlighted the need for such collaborative platforms. The intention was to foster a sense of community among practitioners and emphasise collaboration over competition. By bringing diverse perspectives, the conference aimed to promote a holistic approach to sports psychology,” said Keerthana.
To give concrete shape to the learning, it was also decided to bring out a white paper on the conference and boost the growth of sports psychology in the country.
In a field in which higher age is an advantage, as a mark of wisdom that commands trust, how did Keerthana take up the leadership role to make a meaningful contribution to the field and fraternity? She didn’t hesitate to lend clarity.
“As an overweight child who endured bullying and battled with selfesteem, my fascination with human behaviour was ignited during my 10th grade. I was drawn towards the field of psychology, which eventually led to me pursuing B. Sc in psychology at the Women’s Christian College in Chennai. During my transition from school to college, I discovered longdistance running, that empowered me and boosted my confidence. I also indulged in classical dance, and found a way to express myself only when I gained confidence. The profound impact of sports on my own mental health, sparked my curiosity about the relationship between mental wellbeing and athletic performance. This propelled me to pursue a Masters degree in Sports Psychology at the Loughborough University in UK. Through my studies, I realised the transformative power of sports psychology. My primary goal became empowering athletes through my practice, emphasising the importance of mental health in performance,” said Keerthana, as she put her career in perspective.
Her family had given Keerthana the freedom to follow original thoughts rather than stick to “conventional labels”, which helped her navigate the uncertainties associated with the field.
Embracing the challenge
“Despite the lack of readily available opportunities and awareness in the field, I embraced the challenge because I was determined to make a meaningful impact and bring about a significant change. Two books, Relentless by Tim Grover and The
Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, profoundly influenced my perspective. One delves into the realm of performance, and the other explores inner work and wellness. Instead of viewing them as separate topics, I see them as complementary aspects of human potential and achievement,” said Keerthana, as she gathered her thoughts about her evolution as a sports psychologist.
Keerthana is grateful about the positive influence of many experts in the field, right from the time when she was a student.
“My mentor and professor, Dr. Chris Harwood, has been a source of inspiration and guidance. Even during my Masters course, he encouraged me to adopt a scientistpractitioner approach, which has greatly influenced my perspective. The holistic approach to sports psychology by Dr. Chaitanya Sridhar has deeply resonated with me since the early days of my practice. The guidance from seniors like Dr. Sanjana Kiran and Mugdha Bavare has been fabulous. I find inspiration from peers in the community, Varadayini Gorhe, Dr. Sanika Divekar and Dr. Nanaki Chadha,” said Keerthana.
From cricket to chess, Keerthana works with a variety of sports persons and organisations, stamping her positive impact. “Cricket, being widely celebrated, subjects players to intense pressure, especially due to the high stakes involved and the expectations of millions of fans. It is not just about individual performance but also about the collective effort towards the team’s cause. My work with cricketers has involved helping them manage this dual pressure, enhancing their mental resilience, and refining their focus during critical moments of the game,” she said.
A study in contrast
Chess is a study in contrast. “Chess commands a dedicated following and requires a different set of mental skills. As a predominantly individual pursuit, chess demands unwavering concentration and strategic thinking over long periods. My role with chess players has often centred around maintaining focus, managing stress during intense matches and honing their decisionmaking abilities under pressure,” pointed out Keerthana.
Despite the contrasting canvas, Keerthana always aims to, “empower athletes to overcome obstacles, perform at their best and thrive in their respective arenas.”
When queried about the utilisation of the services of sports psychologists across different sports, from grass roots level to Olympics, Keerthana was candid.
“There is significant progress, but there is still room for growth and improvement. Earlier, there was limited awareness about the importance of mental health and psychology in sports, but now there is a gradual shift in understanding. Still, we are in the early stages of this journey. Many still perceive sports psychology as a onetime fix, expecting immediate results after one session. In reality, it is a process, much like other aspects of training, that require consistent effort and commitment. There is also a misconception that sports psychology solely focuses on performance enhancement, neglecting the crucial aspect of overall wellbeing of an athlete. It is essential to recognise that mental health and performance are interconnected. More athletes are recognising this and seek support from sports psychologists. There is still a need to foster collaboration between sports psychologists and other members of sports science to provide comprehensive care to athletes,” she said.
Rather than waiting for the athletes to evolve and understand the need for sports psychologists, Keerthana firmly believes that parents need to be educated on the key factor.
“At the grassroots level, it is crucial to involve parents in the process and ensure that they understand the role of sports psychology in their child’s development. It can lead to a better support system for young athletes,” she said.
With the government putting sports on priority and releasing enormous resources for sports development, there is scope for sports psychology to be integrated into the overall plans that drive Indian sports forward. In such a healthy situation, Keerthana seeks to spell out her vision.
“I want to see the integration of sports psychology into the training programs of athletes across various sports disciplines, from grassroots to elite levels. This integration means providing mental skills training such as goal setting, visualisation and stress management, to help athletes maximise their potential and cope effectively with the pressures of competition. Furthermore, sports psychologists should work closely with coaches, sports scientists and other members of the athlete support team to create holistic and tailored approaches to mental preparation.
“By collaborating with these professionals, sports psychologists can ensure that mental aspects are given the same attention and importance as physical and technical aspects in training and competition. I also envision the establishment of sports psychology clinics or centres of excellence, where athletes can access specialised mental health services, performance enhancement programs and research initiatives. These facilities would serve as hubs for innovation, education, and collaboration in the field of sports psychology, contributing to the overall development of Indian sports. We need to increase the awareness and destigmatise mental health issues within the sporting community.
“By promoting open dialogue and providing education on the importance of mental wellbeing, we can create a culture that values and prioritises mental health, thereby supporting the holistic development of athletes. I look forward to sports psychology fully integrated into the fabric of Indian sports, empowering athletes to excel on and off the field,” she said. At a different level, any psychological consultation is expensive. Will sports psychology consultations be affordable in the larger interest of sports persons across disciplines?
“In my view, making consultations affordable to athletes is essential to ensure that every athlete has access to the support they need. By offering flexible pricing options, sliding scale fees, or discounted packages, we can accommodate athletes with varying financial circumstances. Collaborating with sports organisations, teams and educational institutions to allocate funding and support for mental health initiatives can help alleviate the financial burden on individual athletes. By securing resources and partnerships, we can expand access to sports psychology services and ensure that mental health support is readily available to all athletes.
“Leveraging technology to provide online consultations and resources can make services more accessible and convenient for athletes, regardless of their location or schedule constraints. Ultimately, prioritising affordability and accessibility in sports psychology consultations is crucial for promoting mental wellbeing and performance of athletes across disciplines in an inclusive manner,” she said.
How do the practitioners of sports psychology ensure privacy for the athlete and at the same time share knowledge for collective growth?
“In sports psychology, it is crucial to remember that the athlete is the primary focus. We prioritise their privacy and wellbeing in every aspect of practice. By doing so, we uphold the ethical standards,” said Keerthana.