Take the example of the runner who runs twice a day according to the schedule they have from their coach. They run no matter what. When they are shattered they don't do less or run at a lower intensity, they push it even more on these days because they fret that if they don't they are somehow a lesser athlete or not mentally tough enough, perhaps reminding themselves that "Winners never quit, quitters never win." They don't ease off on easier weeks, for fear of losing fitness. Perhaps they even get up in the middle of the night and sneak out for an extra one-hour run a couple of nights a week. You may think that this is extreme, but I've seen athletes who've done it. What's the result? Faster running? Improved performance? Accelerated development? No, or at least not for long. Instead the result will be a mixture of overtraining, colds, aches, pains, injury, illness, a performance plateau or decline. For other over-motivated athletes risks develop if they persevere during competitions when they should pull-out. They develop an injury or their body gets into difficulty during an event which can risk long-term consequences. Now, I can write from first-hand experience about this as in 2006 I developed gastric problems during an Ironman after 3.5 hours and continued for another 8 hours, then need medical attention (but received the opposite of what I needed), then received adrenaline into my heart, heart shocking and 36 hours on a ventilator in ITU (if interested you can read my account here: www.sportspsychologist.co.uk/aboutme.html) 

So what's the solution?

1. To prevent a similar situation developing as the runner's scenario above: (a) introduce regular reviews of training volumes, intensity and progress where honest feedback is received from someone in the know (e.g. a coach); (b) be on the lookout for performance plateaus, injury, and illnesses; and (c) schedule and follow periods of less activity and activities that boost recovery.

2. To prevent a similar situation developing during an event (as in my scenario): (a) have reviews throughout competition where you look at key performance indicators such as intensity, speed, power and low the body is functioning (stiffness, pain, stomach/gut function etc.) and consider if you can receive feedback from someone else at the competition (e.g. a coach, family member etc.); and (b) decide before hand what the likely scenarios will be where the best thing would be to pull-out of the competition in order to look after yourself and be able to have a better race on another day. Dr Victor Thompson www.sportspsychologist.co.uk

www.SportsPsychologist.com

As one of the few sports psychologists who has also undergone training as a clinical psychologist, I've decided to write a bit about when it might be worthwhile considering a referral to a clinical sports psychologist.

• In brief, clinical psychologists have undergone a 3 year postgraduate doctorate which trains them to:
• - Work across the life-span (from young children to older adults - over 65-years of age) - Assess and formulate a client's difficulties (what caused them, what maintains them, and what should shift the problems) - Work with a wide range of client's and presenting problems - Apply a range of therapeutic approaches (e.g., cognitive-behavioural therapy, systemic therapy and psychodynamic therapy)

A clinical psychologist who works with athletes (sports people) is likely to be valuable:

1. - When the issue is a more complex one concerning the athletes relationship with others (e.g. partner, family, coach, teammate)
2. - When the issue concerns unhealthy eating patterns (restricting intake, binging, purging or other bulimic tendencies)
3. - When the anxiety or performance stress doesn't respond to usual stress management techniques, perhaps because it has more social judgement elements or some other more complex elements
4. - When the athlete is in a downward spiral following on from an injury or some other setback (mood drops, anger increases, unhelpful behaviour and attitudes develop etc)

As with other branches of psychology, clinical psychologists aren't all the same, working in the same way, with the same style and interventions. It is important, therefore, that referring professionals, athletes or others seeking help for an sportsperson, ascertain that the clinical sports psychologist has the expertise you seek. This will be based on the problem that help is being sought for, the age of the sportsperson, the type of sport. Then the initial contact and/or first session will help indicate whether there is a good fit between the sportsperson, their needs and the psychologist. How do you access a clinical sports psychologist? - In the UK: We are listed either via the British Psychological Society's Chartered Psychologist's Register http://www.bps.org.uk/e-services/find-a-psychologist/directory.cfm then choose Sp&Ex as the Specialist Term and any other narrowing terms like Geographical Area or Postcode or Surname. Unfortunately when you get the list of names, you will still have to click on each name to see if they have 'DClinPsych' (Doctorate in Clinical Psychology) listed as a qualification. - In the USA: You will need to check with your state licensing board or perhaps you can search on the American Psychological Association site (www.apa.org)

Dr Victor Thompson

London-based Clinical Sports Psychologist

www.SportsPsychologist.com

Two other riders have tested positive this week for banned drugs and pre-Tour favourite Alexandre Vinokourov displayed traces of someone else's blood - all three have been kicked out of the Tour. Worse still for British hopes, two entire teams have left the Tour along with their disgraced riders. So hopes of Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins finishing in Paris in less than a week are over.

So why do riders take the drugs or blood dope when the risks to them and others are so high?

1. One, we are creatures of habit. We do today what we did yesterday. We do this year what we did last year. Riders too will generally follow the same regime and take the same performance enhancing choices as they did before.
2. Two, there is pressure to perform: From sponsors, team management, team mates, and the public/fans. Can you as a rider perform up to those expectations, live with the consequences on not performing up to those expectations, or will you give in to the temptation of taking something illegal to give you more confidence in your performance?
3. Three, there are personal needs to be satisfied. Riders are competitive. Some have a strong need to be successful, gain glory, be seen on TV, beat a key adversary, show that their training has been worth it, that they are as good as or better than before. It's tempting then to take something that would give you an edge - or level out the playing field if you think the other riders are 'on something.'

How can riders ride clean?

1. Realise that taking banned performance enhancing products is a choice, your choice, no matter what pressure may be exerted on you.
2. Accept that the probability of getting caught is high.
3. Accept that the consequences of getting caught are prohibitive - whether this is loss of face, embarrassment, shame, dent in income, long-term ban or whatever is severe enough to be a deterrent to you.
4. Accept that cycling is being cleaned up and you are playing Russian Roulette if you continue to dope.
5. Choose to be a leader in this newer healthier cycling.
6. Have faith that the cheats will be caught.
7. Have confidence that if your performance drops you'll be able to absorb this and won't be crushed by it. Your performance is important, sure, but not life and death.