Sports Competition & Anxiety
Competitive sports is built on a physical contest between two opposing teams or in some instances (such as tennis or wrestling) just two opposing participants. Emotional tension is not only experienced by the competitors, but is also part of the draw for the many fans who attend sporting events.
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Some Anxiety Is Natural
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Sports-performance anxiety can prevent an athlete from performing at his highest possible level. Some anxiety before a contest is natural and may even stimulate the competitor, but when an athlete does not perform well in relation to his abilities, nervousness in anticipation of or during the sporting event could be the root cause.
Team Sports Reduce Anxiety
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Pre-competitive anxiety runs higher among those competing in individual sports than those competing on a team, according to some sports psychologists. Studies have found that amateur competitors experience more anxiety than professional athletes. In fact, over time, as an athlete's playing time increases, his anxiety level usually lessens. Elite players in any sport are characterized as having the uncanny ability to play with low anxiety levels.
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Self-Confidence
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Sports psychologists and coaches have been studying methods to help reduce athlete anxiety before and during a game. In some cases, relaxation programs attempt to help improve performance by creating the situation that causes the anxiety. Team members set up practice drills where teammates scream and intimidate a player to help them become accustomed to on-field conditions. This helps reduce unnecessary tension.
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References
- Photo Credit great american ballpark at night image by Richard Seeney from Fotolia.com
