PURPOSE This study aimed to develop and examine the applicability and effectiveness a psychological conditioning program based on the principle of periodization as an alternative to conventional problem-focused and short-term psychological skills training. It intends to systematize and support the long-term regulation of the psychological preparation of golf and soccer players. METHODS The study followed the six-step procedure of the Intervention Mapping Protocol. It recruited 16 professional athletes (7 golfers and 9 soccer players) during the development phase and an additional 20 athletes (9 golfers and 11 soccer players) for the subsequent implementation and evaluation phases. Program effectiveness was assessed as follows. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain indepth insights into the program’s impact (qualitative evaluation), and, the Test of Performance Strategies-2 and a condition measurement tool were administered (quantitative evaluation). RESULTS The qualitative findings indicated that the program supported athletes in better regulating anxiety, reducing negative thoughts, and recovering more quickly from mistakes. The quantitative results demonstrated significant improvements in athletes’ psychological skills and overall condition levels. CONCLUSIONS This results indicate that undergoing a periodized psychological conditioning program can effectively enhance athletes’ psychological skills and support the maintenance of psychological homeostasis. For a broad implementation, a structured support system should be established to replace one-time interventions, thus enabling continuous feedback and practical application to help athletes sustain optimal psychological states during competition.
