ISSN 2782-4594 (Print)
ISSN 2782-4608 (Online)

For citation:

Chepelev D. G., Terelyanskaya I. V. Mental training in psychological preparation of an esports athlete. Physical Education and University Sport, 2025, vol. 4, iss. 4, pp. 387-392. DOI: 10.18500/2782-4594-2025-4-4-387-392, EDN: MSIXBT

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0).
Full text:
download
(downloads: 19)
Language: 
Russian
Heading: 
Territory of sports and health
Article type: 
Article
UDC: 
004.9:796.015.59
DOI: 
10.18500/2782-4594-2025-4-4-387-392
EDN: 
MSIXBT

Mental training in psychological preparation of an esports athlete

Autors: 
Chepelev Daniel G., Volgograd Institute of Management – branch of the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration
Terelyanskaya Irina V., Volgograd Institute of Management – branch of the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration
Abstract: 

World practice shows that in conditions of high competition in esports, not only technical, but also psychological training of players is of key importance. Effectiveness of mental training as a method for building resistance to stress, increasing concentration and speeding up decision-making in the game disciplines of “Dota 2” and “Counter Strike 2” is substantiated. The aim of the study is to adapt the mental training technique developed in classical sports to the specifics of esports activities. The hypothesis is that the systematic use of mental imagery enhances players’ performance and reduces the negative impact of pre-game anxiety. The study simulated game situations and team interaction scenarios, allowing for the identification of optimal forms of mental training in both individual and team preparation. The results of the study show that mental rehearsal of game episodes improves technical performance (control of skills, timings and mechanics), strengthens confidence in key moments of the match and forms emotional stability. Algorithms for conducting individual and group mental training sessions are described, and their practical value for integration into the training process is shown. Accordingly, it can be concluded that the mental training method has a long-term effect on the training of esports athletes and can be recommended for systematic use in training programs for both professional and novice teams.

Key words: 
eSports
psychological training
mental training
visualization
stress tolerance
Reference: 
  1. Veraksa A. N. Myslennaya trenirovka v psikhologicheskoj podgotovke sportsmena [Mental training in the psychological preparation of an athlete]. Moscow, Sport, 2016. 240 p. (in Russian).
  2. Mironov I. S., Pravdov M. A. Contents of sports training in cybersport. Uchenye zapiski universiteta imeni P. F. Lesgafta [Academic Notes of Lesgaft University], 2019, no. 3 (169), pp. 217–222 (in Russian). EDN: ZBOWSD
  3. Bogacheva N. V., Smit D. V. Actual tasks of the psychology of esports. Sportivnyj psikholog [Sports psychologist], 2012, no. 3 (27), pp. 22–27 (in Russian). EDN: RNIGTL
  4. Matveeva I. S., Drobot E. A. Esports: From simple games to the professional sport. Modern Issues of Biomedicine, 2022, vol. 6, no. 2 (19) (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.51871/2588-0500_2022_06_02_38, EDN: UBIHSA
  5. Baiguzhina O. V., Nikol’skaia O. B., Komissarova O. A., Perepelyukova E. V., Fomina L. B. The psychophysiological status of e-athletes (a review). Psychology. Psychophysiology, 2023, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 90–100 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.14529/jpps230408, EDN: TDUJEK
  6. Zaitsev Iu. A., Khvan A. A. Standardization of methods for diagnosing anxiety by Spielberger–Khanin and J. Taylor. Psikhologicheskaya diagnostika [Psychological diagnostics], 2011, no. 3, pp. 19–34 (in Russian).
  7. Pedraza-Ramirez I., Sharpe B. T., Behnke M., Toth A. J., Poulu D. R. The psychology of esports: Trends, challenges, and future directions. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 2025, no. 81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102967
  8. Andreeva G. A. Tablitsy Shul’te. Tablitsa Gorbova. Diagnosticheskij material [Schulte tables. Gorbov’s table. Diagnostic material]. Moscow, Foliant, 2023. 28 p. (in Russian).
  9. Melent’eva O. V. Prospects for the development of esports: Prerequisites against the background of structural transformations. Industrial Economics, 2022, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 484–488 (in Russian). EDN: VABZPU
  10. Nagornov V. Y. Psychophysiological features of esports players: Comparison with traditional. Science Bulletin, 2025, vol. 3, no. 6 (87), pp. 2292–2296 (in Russian). EDN: ANTDNJ
  11. Filatov M. N., Tsinis A. V. The influence of esports on the psychological state of students of the Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after Lomonosov. Stolypin Annals, 2023, vol. 5, no. 5, pp. 2265–2678 (in Russian). EDN: ENSKKS
  12. Biashimov D., Annaev M., Kerimov K., Meretmukhammedov S. Psychological aspects of esports. Symbol of Science: International Scientific Journal, 2024, vol. 2, no. 2, part 2, pp. 134–136. EDN: ONPDXO
  13. Emel’ianov V. V. Cybersports – basic concepts, stages of formation and prospects of development in Russia. Science Bulletin, 2024, vol. 1, no. 4 (73), pp. 590–603 (in Russian). EDN: ZXKGFW
  14. Volgemute K., Vazne Z., Malinauskas R. The benefits of guided imagery on athletic performance: A mixed-methods approach. Frontiers in Psychology, 2025, vol. 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1500194
  15. Mahon K. The effects of esports on sport-confidence and imagery in athletes. Doctoral Thesis. Nacogdoches, TX: Stephen F. Austin State University, 2022. 48 p. Available at: https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/478/ (accessed October 14, 2025).
  16. Di Corrado D., Guarnera M., Guerrera C. S., Maldonato N. M., Di Nuovo S., Castellano S., Coco M. Mental imagery skills in competitive young athletes and non-athletes. Frontiers in Psychology, 2020, vol. 11 (1023). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00633
  17. Smerdov A., Zhou B., Lukowicz P., Somov A. Collection and validation of psychophysiological data from professional and amateur players: A multimodal esports dataset. Available at: https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.00958 (accessed October 14, 2025). https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2011.00958
Received: 
21.09.2025
Accepted: 
30.10.2025
Published: 
16.12.2025