The Role of Mental Skills Training in Enhancing Students’ Athletic Performance

Mehdi Nourian Badi

doi:10.63053/ijhes.188

Authors

Mehdi Nourian Badi Ph.D. Student in Sport Psychology, Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Arak Branch, Arak, Iran.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63053/ijhes.188

Keywords:

Mental skills training; psychological skills training; athletic performance; students; school sports; sport psychology; mental practice; motor learning; motivation; stress management

Abstract

Background: The intersection of sports participation and educational development presents a unique environment where students face combined academic, social, and athletic pressures. While physical and tactical training are traditional mainstays of school-based athletic programs, the psychological dimensions of performance are often overlooked. Mental skills training (MST) has been established as a critical driver of peak performance in elite sports, yet its systematic application within student populations remains fragmented.

Objective: This narrative review critically evaluates and synthesizes the role of MST in enhancing students’ athletic performance, bridging sport psychology, motor learning, and educational frameworks to explore how psychological interventions foster both athletic excellence and holistic development.

Methods: Following a non-systematic, narrative review approach, this paper synthesizes theoretical, conceptual, and empirical literature across sport psychology and educational psychology.

Main Discussion Points: The review delineates the conceptual foundations of MST, distinguishing it from general psychological skills training. It extensively analyzes core components—goal setting, imagery, self-talk, relaxation, concentration, emotional regulation, and routines—and explores their specific mechanisms in student populations. Furthermore, it examines the impact of mental practice on motor learning within inclusive settings and proposes a comprehensive practical framework for school-based programs.

Conclusion: MST is a developmentally appropriate, evidence-based intervention that significantly enhances physical performance, motor learning, and stress tolerance. Integrating MST into school curricula optimizes athletic outcomes and cultivates psychological resilience.

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