ANXIETY IN SPORTS May 6, 2010 | By LindaPurves

Photo Credit stretching image by Mitchell Knapton from Fotolia.com Anxiety in sport is most common in competitive sports environments and could also be termed competitive stress. A lack of consensus makes it difficult to clearly define anxiety and stress in sport, but one definition, proposed by sport psychology consultant Dr. Graham Jones in the book "Sport Psychology: A Self-Help Guide," is that it's "the result of an interaction between the individual and the environment ... an emotional response to the demands placed upon the individual by the environment."

STRESS Not all competitive stress is bad, and not all competitive athletes suffer from anxiety. The stresses of competition can be perceived by a competitor as either positive or negative. Positive stress is considered to be an important element of an athlete's

preparation, heightening the senses and leading to a feeling of being "psyched up" both physically and mentally.

According to the Drive Theory, a physically skilled athlete can gain a psychological edge over competitors by harnessing the power of positive stress. Conversely, negative stress can promote feelings of self-doubt, directly affecting an athlete's ability to cope with the regular stresses of a competitive environment, ultimately leading to a drop in performance.

TYPES Anxiety has two main types: State anxiety is transient and specific only to the particular situation an athlete finds herself in. Trait anxiety is more general and enduring, suggesting a predisposition to anxiety in all areas of life, not just in sport.

SYMPTOMS Symptoms of anxiety are varied and individual to each athlete, but they can generally be recognized on three levels: Cognitive symptoms relate to thought processes, including fear, indecision, poor concentration, loss of confidence and defeatist self-talk. Somatic (physical) symptoms include muscular tension, clammy hands and feet, increased heart rate, sweating and butterflies in the stomach.

Behavioral symptoms relate to patterns of behavior, including inhibited posture, fingernail biting, avoidance of eye contact and uncharacteristic displays of introverted or extroverted behavior.

CAUSES Competitive stress becomes negative, potentially leading to symptoms of anxiety, when an athlete perceives what is being asked of him to be beyond his capabilities. Anxiety is often linked to a fear of failure, and an athlete's perception of his abilities may be based on a previous performance, his beliefs regarding the opposition or the

perceived importance of the competition. His perception can also vary greatly from event to event, depending on his perceived state of physical and mental preparation in each case.

EFFECTS An athlete suffering symptoms of anxiety will inevitably underachieve. The physical and psychological effects experienced will have a negative impact on performance, and continued exposure can lead to burnout, often prompted by growing feelings of dissatisfaction, which can develop into a decision to leave sport completely. The results of a 2009 study published in the online sports psychology journal Athletic Insight highlight the correlation between competitive trait anxiety and burnout in young athletes.

REFERENCES

"Sport Psychology: A Self-Help Guide"; Stephen J. Bull; 1995 Athletic Insight: The Associations of Competitive Trait Anxiety and Personal Control with Burnout in Sport

Article reviewed by Tim Horneman Last updated on: May 6, 2010

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/117970-anxiety-sports/#ixzz2LnlMkU2L http://www.livestrong.com/article/117970-anxiety-sports/

Sports and Performance Anxiety By Arlin Cuncic, About.com Guide Updated July 07, 2012 About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Sports and performance anxiety often go hand-in-hand. Have you ever "choked" during an important sporting event or felt your nerves get in the way of your athletic performance? While many athletes become "pumped up" during competition, when the rush of adrenaline is interpreted as anxiety, and negative thoughts begin to swirl, it can have devastating effects on your ability to perform. Before you learn how to manage the symptoms of anxiety during competitions, it is important to understand the relationship between anxiety and athletic performance. What is Sport Psychology? Sport psychology is a division of psychology aimed at better preparing the mind of an athlete for competition. How Does Sport Psychology Relate to Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)? People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) fear social and performance situations. The most common fear is public speaking. However, other types of performances such as musical and athletic may also elicit anxiety. Most sport psychologists work with athletes to help them overcome anxiety about about performance during competitions. In its most extreme form, this type of anxiety would bediagnosed as SAD. What is the Relationship Between Anxiety and Athletic Performance? Anxiety before or during athletic competitions can hinder your performance as an athlete. The coordinated movement required by athletic events becomes increasingly difficult when your body is in a tense state. A certain level of physical arousal is helpful and prepares us for competition. But when the physical symptoms of anxiety

are too great, they may seriously interfere with your ability to compete. Similarly, a certain amount of worry about how you perform can be helpful in competition, but severe cognitive symptoms of anxiety such as negative thought patterns and expectations of failure can bring about a self-fulfilling prophecy. If there is a substantial difference between how you perform during practice and how you do during competitions, anxiety may be affecting your performance. What Factors Influence the Effect of Anxiety on Athletic Performance? Some types of athletes are more prone to feeling the effects of anxiety on performance. Amateur athletes are more likely than seasoned professionals to experience anxiety that interferes with their ability to perform in competition -- this makes sense due to their relative lack of experience both in competition and in managing arousal. Athletes who participate in individual sports have also been found to experience more anxiety than those who play team sports. Common sense suggests that being part of a team alleviates some of the pressure experienced by those who compete alone. Finally, there is evidence that in team sports, when a team plays at the venue of the opposition (known as an "away" game) anxiety levels tend to be higher than when playing at home. Again, common sense would indicate that having greater fan support and more familiarity with the venue plays a role in anxiety levels during competition. Why Do Some Athletes Thrive Under Pressure and Others Falter? How are elite athletes consistently able to rise to the challenge when faced with tough competition? Research shows that self-confidence plays a role in how you respond to symptoms of anxiety during athletic performance. People who are confident in their abilities are more likely to have a positive reaction to arousal and anxiety and thrive on the challenge of competition. Elite athletes are often so focused on their behavior that they interpret arousal as excitement rather than anxiety.

In general, self-confidence tends to be highest when you believe in your ability and feel that you have properly prepared for a competition. Worry and confidence are at opposite ends of the spectrum -- when confidence is strong, it tends to crowd worry out of the mind. What Can Be Done to Manage Anxiety About Athletic Performance? You can use a number of strategies to help manage anxiety related to athletic performance including visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, and cognitive restructuring. If you find that your anxiety symptoms are severe and do not improve with the use of self-help strategies, plan a visit to your doctor to discuss your concerns. You may be suffering with SAD and need professional treatment. Sources: Humara M. The relationship between anxiety and performance: A cognitivebehavioral perspective. Athletic Insight -The Online Journal of Sport

Psychology [serial online]. Riewald ST. Strategies to manage performance pressure. NSCAs Performance Training Journal[serial online]. Rodriguez C. Can sport psychology help athletic performance by increasing mental toughness through decreasing anxiety?.

PERFORMANCE ANXIETY AND PREGAME JITTERS Tags: Hockey, performance anxiety, sports Written by Mike Edger, Posted in Articles for Athletes, Sports Psychology, Youth Sports Articles| 1 Comment

Many athletes feel performance anxiety in the opening minutes of the game. You may feel butterflies in your stomach or your heart pounding. Some athletes like to feel pregame jitters before competition. These athletes think of pregame jitters as a sign of readiness and energy. Other athletes think of pregame jitters as a sign of nervousness.

Pre-game jitters are a natural part of competing and a sign you are ready to embrace competition. Even the best athletes in the world get the jitters. Michael Leighton,

goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers, admitted to feeling nervous before his first NHL playoff game.My legs were shaking a little bit, I was nervous, Leighton said. Once I made a few saves, you kind of forget about that and just get focused. It kind of goes away.

The mistake many athletes make is interpreting pre-game jitters as there is something wrong or a problem. Pregame jitters can be harmful when they dont go away in the opening minutes of the game. They can cause you to lose confidence and focus. When youre focused on how nervous you feel, you lose focu s on the present task.

Athletes need to embrace the pregame jitters as a sign they are ready to play. Your mental game tip is to stay calm when you experience pregame jitters in the opening minutes. Stay focused on your strategy and whats important to e xecute. Pregame jitters are important to help you prepare for the game and they will help you focus your best if you embrace them!

Think of it this way: the best athletes get worried if they dont experience pregame jitters!

http://www.sportpsychologytoday.com/youth-sports-psychology/performance-anxietyand-pregame-jitters/