Displaying a domineering body language was a must for sportspersons associated with martial arts such as taekwondo, wushu and karate. Controlling one's performance anxiety in combat sports was an essential ingredient of victory.

Around 100 sportspersons got tips such as these and more at the free consultation held at the department of physical therapy and rehabilitation at Bhagwan Mahavir Medica Superspecialty Hospital at Bariatu, Ranchi, on Sunday.

Fifty combat sportspersons along with 50 runners, footballers and cricketers turned up for the event held from 9am to 2pm.

Anusheela Brahmachary, a double MSc in sports and exercise psychology who has trained in Germay and Sweden, and Payal Jugroop, a biokineticist - human movement and exercise expert - from South Africa - offered tips on mental strength while talking about a "sportsperson's individual and a team's mental toughness".

Speaking on body basics, Jugroop also asked players to pay proper attention to stretching exercises, which she said would make their muscles strong and flexible.

"Sportspersons, including athletes, were made aware of techniques to avoid injury and treat them properly if they occurred during a sporting event. Efforts were made to understand individual problems and offer solutions," Brahamachary said.

Media adviser of Medica Group of Hospitals Anand Srivastava said it was for the first time such a programme was being organised at the hospital.

"Earlier, we hosted programmes on different types of diseases, but this is the first sports-specific event," he said.