Sports psychology and elite athlete performance, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico): Sports psychologist Dr. Claudia Rivas addresses the factors that influence the performance of elite athletes.
Her work translates clinical concepts into competitive practice to show how cognitive processes and emotional management determine success or failure on the field, beyond purely physical or technical preparation.
According to Rivas, concentration and emotional stability under pressure make the difference for high-performance athletes. “Sports psychology is a fundamental pillar for understanding the behavior of athletes in high-demand situations,” the specialist explains.
Applied to soccer, the study of the mind helps explain the decisions players make in critical moments.
This work not only strengthens individuals against stress and media overexposure, but also consolidates team cohesion, helps prevent reckless behavior, and fosters a healthy professional environment, Rivas said in an interview with El Heraldo Radio Monterrey. She added that locker-room cohesion and collective resilience are essential for winning championships.
External demands for immediate results, such as title droughts at historic clubs, can affect how coaching staffs execute their tactical goals. “Performance on the field is a direct reflection of the mental strength and cohesion that players achieve during the season,” the expert stresses.
Given this context, Rivas argues that psychological intervention should be applied consistently as a preventive tool and a means of building resilience. “It is necessary to work on emotional management to keep pressure from affecting collective performance.”
