Sports psychology is concerned with understanding the influence of behavior on sports performance. It is considered a component of Exercise Science. This post, the first in a series, will explore the psychological aspect of athletic performance and its effects.
Sports psychology has three primary goals:
- Measurement of psychological phenomena
- Investigation of the relationship between psychology and performance
- Applying this knowledge to improve athletic performance
Anxiety is a state of situational apprehension and uncertainty experienced by athletes. Cognitive anxiety manifests itself in worrisome thoughts, while somatic anxiety results in physical symptoms (for example, tense muscles and rapid heart rate). Anxiety can adversely affect athletic performance in at least three ways:
- A perceived threat to self-esteem
- A perceived discrepancy between one’s abilities and the demands for athletic success
- A fear of the consequences of failure (disapproval from teammates, coach, family, or peers)
Stress is anything that disrupts a state of mental and physical calm. Although stress has a negative connotation, it can actually be negative or positive. A “psyched-up” athlete is not necessarily an anxious athlete. For example, an athlete aroused by stress may experience significant mental activation, resulting in positive thoughts and a strong sense of control, potentially enhancing athletic performance.
Selective attention is commonly referred to by athletes as their level of focus, and describes their ability to “block out” task-irrelevant stimuli and thoughts. Successful athletes are able to utilize selective attention to focus on task-relevant cues by developing a mental checklist that directs their attention toward controllable concerns (for example, a placekicker breathing, checking the turf, and stretching the hamstrings). Coaches can help athletes to focus, and avoid becoming overloaded, by situationally and appropriately helping them block out external stimuli and directing their focus on a limited number of cues.
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Next: The Ideal Performance State
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