Einleitung

A review of the sport psychology literature reveals that a wide variety of approaches to mental training have been used with athletes. Among these approaches, biofeedback (BFB) has frequently been employed to enhance athletic performance. The author present a 5-step approach to mental training with BFB. This approach includes a) introduction (i.e., learning various self-regulation techniques), b) identification (i.e. identifying and strengthening the most efficient BFB response modality, c) simulation (i.e., BFB training with simulated competitive stress, d) transformation (i.e., proceeding mental preparation from laboratory to field), and e) realization (i.e., obtaining optimal regulation in competition). In his mental practice with Israeli elite athletes from combat sport (Olympic, World, European medalists in judo, wrestling, taekwondo) the author developed and used a mental training program which was based on the principle of the 5-step approach. Einfuehrung