Stress & Injures in Sports  

• Stress is a factor of life that affects everyone, but athletes tend to suffer from it more than non-athletes, due to the amount they are required to balance, between schoolwork, practices, and games, as well as family pressures and everyday life. 

• The stress model demonstrates what factors affect stress in sport. Stress can affect performance, the way an athlete responds to the stress can affect it, and the management of the stress can negatively or positively affect the athlete’s stress level. 

• There are many ways an athlete can respond to stress. Many times athletes do not handle stress properly, nor do they know how to, so they must seek outside help in order to deal with it. Healthy ways for athletes to deal with stress are to engage in pleasurable activities, take care of their body, maintain a positive perspective, laugh, practice relaxation techniques, talk to others, and get help from a professional.

• According to Dr. Patrick Cohn, Not all stress is bad. To much stress can cause performance anxiety, which hurts your health and does not allow you to play relaxed, confident, and focused in competition. ​

  • “You’re always going to be nervous teeing it up in a Major Championship. It’s very natural and it’s a good thing. It means that you want it.” ~Rory McIlroy, first round leader at the 2011 Masters  

• Stress can also help you when it makes you more alert, more motivated to practice, and gain a competitive edge.

• Every competitive athlete experiences some stress; good and bad. Your stress may be positive and helpful or instill anxiety and apprehension. Pregame jitters can cause some athletes to not sleep well the night before competition.  

Sources of Stress - 

• Determine sources of good stress. There is both good (eustress) and bad (distress) stress. 

• Determine sources of bad stress. Distress can cause poor performance. Some people do not do well when they are stressed about a test. Other sources of stress could be family, work, or the big game. 

• Realize how you respond to stress. People express stress physiologically, behaviorally, and cognitively. For instance, before a job interview your heart may be racing (physiological), you may pace back and forth (behavioral), or you may say negative statements to yourself such as “This stinks! I can’t do this!” (cognitive). 

Coping with Stress -  

• Physiological coping strategies: One way to reduce stress if you respond to stress physiologically is to use breathing techniques with muscle relaxation.  

• Behavioral coping strategies: There are both positive and negative coping strategies that people use. Some people may drink or smoke because of stress but these are obviously negative coping strategies. 

• Cognitive coping strategies: Along with using some of the previously stated coping strategies, you may want to use positive self-talk or give yourself reaffirming statements.