PETALING JAYA: Physical prowess often takes the spotlight in elite sports but behind every great performance lies a powerful, and sometimes overlooked, element – the mind.
And sports psychologist Frederick Tan (pic) believes that an athlete’s greatest weapon is their mind and it needs to be trained and sharpened just like the body.
“Mental health is closely tied to our emotional and psychological state,” said Frederick, who was a psychologist with the National Sports Institute (NSI) for the longest time before leaving.
“It’s about how well an athlete can handle pressure, stay focused, and believe in themselves before, during, and after competition.”
According to Frederick, mental health issues in athletes often stem from performance pressure, injuries, overtraining, and external criticism. He pointed out that returning from injury is especially challenging, as fear of getting injured again can erode confidence and build mental blocks.
“One of the key moments in recovery is mental preparation. If the athlete isn’t mentally ready, physical recovery alone won’t be enough,” he said.
While he was assisting the badminton team in the past, Frederick recalled several cases where athletes burned out from constant stress or quit altogether because they couldn’t cope with criticism or the fear of letting teammates down.
“Overthinking is another common trap,” he said.
“I’ve seen national athletes unable to sleep the night before a big match – constantly worrying about the outcome. Even coaches do the same. One came to me at 2am, walking out of the hotel just for a roti canai and teh tarik because he couldn’t sleep,” he shared.
“When stress builds, the body follows. Tension in the muscles, lack of coordination, and a sudden dip in performance are often physical symptoms of a mind under pressure.”
So, how do athletes manage this?
Frederick emphasised the importance of open communication.
“Talk to someone you trust – your coach, a close friend, or a sports psychologist. Mental health isn’t a weakness. It’s something you can work on and overcome,” he said.
Finally, he urges athletes to treat mental training as seriously as physical preparation.
“The moment you lose your belief, everything else begins to unravel. But if you take care of your mind, your performance will follow.”
