title: Psychological Preparation for Paralympic Athletes: A Preliminary Study.
abstract: Since the first Paralympics in 1960 there has been an increase in social and scientific interest in Paralympic athletes' personality, their preparation, and their sport results. During the last 20 yr, researchers and practitioners have been focused on psychological-skills programs for athletes with disabilities. The purpose of this article was to describe a psychological-preparation program for Israeli Paralympic athletes. Two subprograms, the learning-modification-application approach and the Simulation Training Exercise Program, were adapted to athletes' disability and sport demands. Two case studies, from table tennis and sailing (Sonar 3-person keelboat), are described to demonstrate how systematic sport psychology preparation can be effectively integrated into the training process of Paralympic athletes. Some recommendations for Paralympic athletes are presented.
authors.affiliation: Giv'at Washington Academic College for Education, Israel.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Blumenstein
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Orbach
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D003376:Counseling; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D000067450:Psychology, Sports; D012649:Self Concept; D012767:Ships; D064846:Sports for Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis