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Case study - mentally preparing for a game

An athlete explains the importance of mental preparation

Case study – Preparing mentally for a game at home

In the run up to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014, Team Scotland focused on helping Scottish athletes to manage the additional pressure of performing in front of a home crowd. The team recognised that this could be a positive factor but that it could also raise athletes' levels of anxiety. They used a combination of science to measure brain activity and practical, simple tools to help athletes cope. It worked - Scotland won 53 medals during the Games, compared to 26 in the 2010 Games, in Delhi, India.

Men's singles lawn bowls gold medal-winner Darren Burnett (centre) celebrates his win with the men's fours gold medal-winning team, comprising David Peacock, Neil Speirs, Paul Foster and Alex Marshall
Image caption,
Men's singles lawn bowls gold medal-winner Darren Burnett (centre) celebrates his win with the men's fours gold medal-winning team, comprising (from left to right) David Peacock, Neil Speirs, Paul Foster and Alex Marshall