A proposed mental preparation program model for the Algerian national wheelchair basketball team players

Abstract

Athletic excellence depends on how well athletes utilize their psychological and physical abilities. Psychological skills help athletes harness their physical capabilities and energies to achieve peak performance. These skills can be developed through specialized training programs, known as mental preparation programs that utilize psychological skills. These programs vary depending on the sport and have specific requirements for building athletic character. To succeed, certain personality traits are essential. An athlete lacking positive psychological traits will not be able to reach the highest levels, regardless of their physical and technical abilities, because these traits directly influence personality. While it's commonly believed that physical preparation alone is sufficient to achieve the desired results, the opposite is true. Mental preparation has a significant impact on the performance of athletes, especially in wheelchair basketball for athletes with disabilities. This has led to increased attention to mental preparation due to its role in the scientific application of psychological adaptation in sports. This adaptation involves developing and mastering important personal qualities such as self-confidence, fighting spirit, composure, achievement motivation, and anxiety management. From here we note that mental preparation seeks to create and develop positive motivations and attitudes for the athlete, especially when he is in a state of disability, due to the psychological effects that may affect the athlete’s performance in one way or another.