TIP SHEET
ATTENTION: EDITORS/PRODUCERS
MENTAL TRAINING AS IMPORTANT AS PHYSICAL TRAINING
FOR OLYMPIC ATHLETES
Argosy University/Phoenix Media Expert Available
Athletes from around the world are training for the chance of a lifetime - winning a gold medal at the
Winter or Summer Olympics. Given the Olympics’ intense level of competition, participating athletes
require mental training, as well as physical training, to perform effectively and to achieve success.
Everyday responsibilities, societal factors, and current news events, including war and global threats of
terrorism, can impact an athlete’s level of concentration and performance.
Dr. Robert Harmison, department head of Argosy University/Phoenix’ Sport-Exercise Psychology
program, helps athletes prepare mentally for competition and counsels them on how to cope with
distractions and remain focused on their goals. Dr. Harmison is available to the media to comment on
related topics, including:
How can athletes mentally prepare and overcome psychological pressures?
What are the best methods to train mentally for competition?
What are the concentration methods professional athletes use to deliver repeat victories?
What are the best practices for an Olympic athlete to incorporate while training for the Summer
Games?
About Dr. Robert Harmison
Served as the mental training consultant for the U.S. Snowboarding Team during the 2002 Winter
Olympics in Utah
Has given commentary about athletic mental preparation and sport psychology to broadcast and
print media outlets, including Good Day Arizona (KPNX-TV, Phoenix), and The Sonoran News
(AZ)
Has provided psychological services to 10 U.S. national teams, including volleyball and rowing
teams, which are based out of the Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs, Colo. and San
Diego
Received a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas
Member of the American Psychological Association and Association for the Advancement of
Applied Sport Psychology
Argosy University/Phoenix is one of 13 Argosy University (www.argosyu.edu) campuses and six extension sites
across the nation offering undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees in the disciplines of business,
education, health sciences, and psychology and behavioral sciences. Argosy University is accredited by the Higher
Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA) (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite
2400, Chicago, IL 60602, 1.312.263.0456, www.ncahlc.org).
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To schedule an interview with Dr. Harmison or any Argosy University/Phoenix faculty expert, contact
Mark Toth at (412) 995-7263, mtoth@edmc.edu or Stephanie Dowling at (602) 331-7527, sdowling@aii.edu.
For more information about Argosy University/Phoenix, visit www.argosyu.edu.