.

• Energy blockers & boosters
• Energy awareness
• The energy "HIGHS"
• Individual energy
• Team energy
• Energy blockers
• Energy boosters
• Conclusion

 

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Energy blockers and boosters

Energy is a major source of power in sport and is also fuel which drives the athlete during training and competition. Very few athletes are interested in a detailed explanation of what energy is.
They are happy to accept the fact it is, or should be, ready for use when needed. The amount of energy available, however, will depend to a large extent on the overall fitness of the athlete.
While most athletes recognise the importance of physical fitness in the utilization of energy, many do not take into account the influence of mental fitness on their energy supply. Many athletes have either under estimated the value of energy awareness, or have not given it much thought as a sporting aid.

Energy awareness

Energy awareness begins from the correct mental position. Energy follows thought and thought impulses are vital forms of energy transportation. Each and every competition requires a systematic build up of energy resources prior to the competition, and a controlled release of it during the competition.
The freedom, exhilaration and adrenaline that might come from success, receiving great news, taking flights , or winning a race-- this kind of buoyant energy can be harnessed. To harness it, and focus it productively, requires concentration and discipline. Not all athletes are used to this.
This can be greatly influenced by the athlete’s inner awareness of it. The athlete can build up energy expectancy in his mind, using a vivid imagination to reinforce it. The energy release following should be easy and natural, accompanied by a feeling of rhythm and joy in every action.
At first the athlete may need to concentrate hard on increasing his energy awareness. After sufficient experience the build up and release should become spontaneous and automatic.

The energy "HIGHS"

Energy is everywhere for those who know where to look. There is a network of energy which permeates and penetrates every athletic arena during major competitions.
This energy can be sensed by coaches, competitors and spectators alike. It ‘charges their batteries’ as it electrifies the atmosphere and all are uplifted by it. The sensation it brings to all involved is one of the major attractions of sport. The successful athlete uses this to his advantage.
Whereas the average athlete sees himself as separate from his energy arena, the successful athlete feels he is one with it. Each athlete should see himself as a channel of energy and make himself receptive to the inexhaustible energy of the universe.

Individual energy

Young athletes can learn much about energy efficiency by observing top class athletes in action. Energy flow can be sensed in an experienced athlete’s rhythm as he performs with grace and style, moving lightly and loosely. Such athletes make even the most difficult movements look easy. Powerful surges of energy can be seen when he accelerates or changes gear. Movements involving sweeping, spinning, twisting, weaving and other forms of rotation are also excellent examples of energy flow. Top class athletes with top class techniques are outstanding demonstrators of the importance of energy flow and its effect on efficiency of movement.
Young athletes should also take note of the various rhythms and directions of energy flow. In running, rowing and cycling events the flow will be mainly forward. In tennis, squash and badminton it may go forward, sideways or backwards. In the high jump it will flow mainly forward and upward, and in the long jump mainly upward and forward. In gymnastics and figure skating it could flow in a variety of directions. At certain times a constant application of energy can be observed. At other times it may be used in an explosive manner – such as in surges, burst and rushes.

Team energy

Team energy is composed of a number of individual energies. Team members need to be aware of the importance of their individual contributions to the final outcome of the competition. When there is a unity of aims and objectives by all members and the same minds are focused on a common goal, a strong positive energy force will be created. The team that can unite individual energies will have a stronger control over it’s combined flow.

Members of a team should also be aware of the psychic energy fields of their team mates. Each successful team, over a period of times, has developed its own system of mental telepathy. Team members begin to think as one and to respond immediately to the unspoken wishes of others. When members become attuned to the same wave length, they can anticipate what their team mates are going to do before they do it. This becomes essential in top team sport today.

Successful teams demonstrate the importance of a free flow of energy. When the team is in rhythm the ball flows along an energy beam from one member to another. Each team member adds a little of his own energy when receiving and passing the ball. Waves of energy can be observed sweeping back and forth across the arena. The field of play seems to light up as it becomes a network of visible energy. Athletes involved in team sport can learn much when they are taught how to observe energy flow and how to use it in their own sport.

Energy blockers

Energy blockers can be described as anything that hinders or obstructs the flow of energy during competition. Athletes are often unaware of the many and varied ways energy can be blocked or wasted. Most athletes are aware of how energy is wasted through trying too hard and tensing up or when the wrong technique is being used. These are things that can be easily felt. Many do not recognise the energy blockers which are not as obvious to the eye, such as negative moods, thoughts and emotions. Some of these energy blockers can be described as follows:

• Negative Moods & Emotions
  Energy is soon diminished through low grade emotions. These could include – despair, depression, confusion, panic, fear and anxiety. Such emotions will quickly drain an athletes strength and energy reserves.
  
  
• Negative Thoughts
  Lack of energy can be a condition aided by the wrong thoughts. Thoughts of a lack of energy will quickly produce a lack of energy.
  
  
• Over Arousal and Over Concern
  Over arousal before the competition and over concern during the competition can bring on sudden feelings of fatigue.
  
  
• Excessive Nervousness
  This will burn energy and hasten the onset of fatigue during the competition.
  
  
• Negative Self Talk
  When an athlete tells himself he is tired, he can soon hypnotise himself through the law of suggestion into believing it.

When an athlete realises how much energy can be wasted through useless emotions, he will make an extra effort to stop them.
Energy lapses and their causes need to be regularly evaluated. Sustaining the energy needs during a competition is demanding enough. Negative energy should be released as soon as possible, before it can cause untold damage.

Energy boosters

Energy flow can be boosted through the power of the mind. Energy build up begins in the mind and mental pictures of energy flow will channel natural energies into successful action.
The athletes who have confidence in their ability to develop maximum energy during the stressful periods of competition, will have a better chance of doing so. Just as negative emotions can retard energy flow, so can positive emotions open the channels to allow the energy to go bounding through.
Some of these energy boosters can be described as follows:

• Positive Moods and Emotions
  These will create additional energy and power. They can include – self confidence, desire, determination, will power and joy.
  
  
• Positive Thoughts
  Positive thoughts bring an inner sense of optimism and encourage a high expectation of success
  
  
• Enjoyment & Excitement
  Energy and enjoyment of the action go together. The excitement and challenge of the competition should result in the release of additional energy.
  
  
• Calm and Detached Attitude
  The athlete who remains calm and detached throughout, will be free of emotional turbulence. This should strengthen and increase his energy flow.
  
  
• Controlled Rhythmic Breathing
  This will help the athlete remain in control. It Bwill also help him to rebuild his energy and to refocus it on the task ahead.

Top performances are most unlikely unless positive moods, emotions and thoughts are present. Negative feelings of fatigue can be changed into positive feelings of excess energy through the powerful emotional stimulus of thought. Tuning into psychic energy helps the athlete to tap a source of limitless energy when tiredness approaches.

Conclusion

Energy can only do for the athlete what it does through him. The natural athlete has the inborn ability to energise himself without even being aware of it. The majority of athletes have to work hard to develop this sensitivity. The future of sport will require new avenues of awareness of excess energy instead of awareness of a lack of energy. Instant energy is available to the athlete who trains himself to be receptive to it.

Many athletes have not inwardly grasped the importance of an awareness of energy flow. Energy can be controlled and directed at will and when harnessed constructively can double an athlete’s efficiency. It only needs to be recognised and used. It can become an additional source of power and inspiration to those who believe in it and make the best use of it.

BOB CAMPBELL
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
South African Amateur Swimming Union