EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EI) AND SPORT SCIENCE: A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF NEED, IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN ATHLETICS

Sports Psychology research has seen the increase in a concept named emotional intelligence. First utilized in the business world, Emotional Intelligence is finding its way into other areas of life such as sports. What is it, how can it help sports performance and how can we enhance our own emotional intelligence? Emotional intelligence is a relatively new construct that has emerged over the last ten years. Identified as ‘the capacity to recognize and utilize emotional states to change intentions and behaviors. Emotional intelligence can be measured through a series of statements about emotional states and the ways that a person deals with them. Success in sport is often associated with vigor and anger. Importantly, emotionally intelligent people can get themselves into the appropriate emotional states for the demands of the situation. If the situation requires high arousal, emotionally intelligent people are good at getting themselves psyched up and prepared. Equally, if the situation requires calmness, emotionally intelligent people are good at relaxing themselves. Athletes that perform in the zone effective regulate their emotions.