The Truth About Performance Anxiety in Sports
Anxiety can impact multiple areas in one’s life, including sports performance for an athlete. For best performance levels, an athlete needs to prepare their mind for a “ready state” in order to be successful during a competition. Most people may experience some type of fear or anxiety when participating in something they are invested in. Athletes may feel the same way during a big game or competition because it is important to them and the success of their team. While some anxiety is normal for many people, typical levels of anxiety can impact how one performs.
To understand athletic performance anxiety we first must consider the state the body is in during a competition. The body is naturally put under new levels of tension and stress when doing physical activities. When anxiety increases someone may experience heart palpitations, excessive sweating, and negative thought patterns. When these symptoms are combined with the typical tensions an athletic experiences, the worry and stress could increase the chances that performance anxiety will develop. This happens because negative thought patterns can turn into self- doubt and ultimately lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy due to the expectations of failure.
Typically when discussing anxiety in regards to athletes, avoidance is a noticeable symptom. For example, if a soccer player misses a goal and people talk about it poorly, the fear and anxiety could be reinforced, causing the athlete to avoid so they no longer are feeling negatively. Subconsciously, the soccer player may develop a fear and avoid taking the shot. Most athletes are unaware of how these cognitive influences can impact their ability to play at a competitive level successfully.
Just because someone is experiencing anxiety, does not mean that they have a disorder. However, understanding the different coping mechanisms can make a difference in performance because the athlete will overcome the self-defeating the mindset. First, it is important to recognize if there is a desire for perfection. This concept could turn into a fear of failure, which could cause the athlete to think “I am not good enough.” Likewise, if an athlete is recovering from a sports related injury, they may begin to think “I will never be the same again.” Athletes may also begin to think about changes that will occur if they are successful with their sport. They may feel pressure due to scholarships or new demands, such as more intensive sports practice. Once the athlete begins to recognize what may be the source of their fears and anxiety they can begin to work on adjusting how they think. For performance anxiety, it is important to understand how thoughts ultimately impact actions. Only the individual can control their thoughts and actions and ultimately, the level of effort. If the athlete understands what triggers their negative thought pattern they can develop positive self-talk that will eliminate or minimize the other feelings of self- doubt.
-Emily Mori, MS, LGPC, NCC, CAS, ADHD-CCSP
As a strength-based therapist I believe mindfulness is the best approach to life's challenges. I help to empower clients seeking to move forward and to achieve their wellness goals.
