Introduction
In the ever-changing technology landscape, different smart apps have become indisputable tools used explicitly for various aspects and functions in life, including sports psychology (Sohail et al., 2022, p 88). Therefore, This paper will seek to discuss and explore three different smart apps used for other aspects of sports psychology and mainly focus on goal setting in this field. This paper will focus on apps, including Coache’s Eye, strava, and Headspace.
Headspace:
Headspace is known for mindfulness and meditation. Although not a sports psychology software, its focus on relaxation and stress reduction makes it valuable to athletes seeking mental health. The app provides guided meditation, breathing, and mindfulness. For athletes wishing to improve mental resilience, sessions may be customized.
Evaluation for Goal Setting: Headspace does this indirectly by fostering a clear and focused mindset when it comes to goal setting. The app is essential as it can help athletes visualize their goals, manage performance anxiety, and ensure they are present during any exercise (Costalupes et al., 2020, p 70). In as much as it is not designed for goal setting, the app can affect and impact mental clarity and enable the athletes to set and achieve their desired goals.
Coach’s Eye:
The Coach’s Eye sports performance monitoring software lets players and coaches assess their moves on film. Its primary purpose is technical analysis, but it may help athletes establish goals by evaluating their performance and identifying areas for growth (Whelan & Clohessy, 2021, p 91). The software has slow-motion playback, annotations, and video comparisons.
Evaluation for Goal Setting: This app excels in providing visual feedback. The ability to provide feedback enables athletes to set measurable and specific goals explicitly. By identifying areas of improvement, athletes have the ability to set goals that are actionable and realistic, and this, in the process, improves their overall performance.
Strava:
Athletes use Strava to log and analyze their workouts. While known for running and cycling, Strava offers several sports. Users may select distance, time, or other objectives and get precise performance information, route mapping, and social elements to interact with other athletes.
Evaluation for Goal Setting: the app, in this case, allows athletes to track and define their objectives, and this directly facilitates goal setting (Whelan & Clohessy, 2021, p 78). Whether it is achieving a specific pace, running a certain distance, or even completing a set of workouts, users can use the app to set and monitor the progress of their goals.
Comparative Analysis:
- Usability: Headspace and Strava are accessible to many because of their user-friendly interfaces. Because of its extensive examination, Coach’s Eye may be compelling yet challenging to master.
- Goal Setting Integration: Straightforward goal-setting distinguishes Strava. Coach’s Eye indirectly helps goal setting via performance monitoring, whereas Headspace emphasizes mindfulness and mental preparation.
- Community Engagement: The community on Strava motivates via social contact. Coach’s Eye and Headspace are less community-focused.
Conclusion
In conclusion, each app has specific sports psychology capabilities, especially goal setting. Headspace improves mental resilience, Coach’s Eye is great at technical analysis, and Strava’s community helps create goals. Athletes and coaches should choose an app to include in their sports psychology practices based on their requirements and preferences to improve performance and reach their objectives.
Works Cited
Costalupes, Blake, et al. “A smartphone mindfulness-based intervention pilot study with competitive high school baseball players.” Journal of Kinesiology & Wellness 9 (2020): 63-72. https://www.wskw.org/jkw/index.php/jkw/article/view/76
Sohail, Mishal, Muhammad Talha, and Munib Ali. “Information technology and its’ modernization, the Internet, and sports psychology.” Revista de Psicología del Deporte (Journal of Sport Psychology) 31.2 (2022): 83-92. https://www.rpd-online.com/index.php/rpd/article/view/712
Whelan, Eoin, and Trevor Clohessy. “How the social dimension of fitness apps can enhance and undermine wellbeing: A dual model of passion perspective.” Information Technology & People 34.1 (2021): 68-92. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ITP-04-2019-0156/full/html
write