Is Anxiety Sabotaging the Performance of Elite Athletes – And Can It Be Overcome?

Behind every record-breaking performance, there’s often an untold story of mental struggle. For elite athletes, the pressure to succeed can spark crippling anxiety that undermines even the greatest talents. But is it possible to break free from this mental block and rise above the silent battle in their minds?

Opening Thoughts

While most of the attention has been given to the mental health challenges faced by elite athletes, there's less info specifically looking at how anxiety impacts their performance. Still, what we do know points to an indirect link between anxiety and how athletes perform under pressure. 

The pressing question: What's being done to help athletes manage this anxiety and perform at their best? More and more, athletes are turning to new ways to deal with their anxiety. The challenge is that not all athletes have equal access to these tools. While some are getting the help they need, others might not have the same resources.

What the Research has Shown

• Athletes with insufficient sleep often experience higher anxiety, making it harder to cope with challenges and stressors that impact performance. (Charest & Grandner, 2022)
• Anxiety can impair the attentional system, affecting executive function, and the ability to prioritize relevant information, which are skills vital for both academic and athletic performance. (Kumar & Devi, 2023)
• Athletes frequently refrain from seeking mental health support due to the stigma that doing so may be perceived as a sign of weakness. (Forys & Tokuhama-Espinosa, 2022)

Call to Action

• Mental Health Training Programs
• These programs focus on enhancing focus and teaching coping strategies for challenges related to performance. Led by athletic counselors and sports psychologists, they implement different techniques such as mindfulness, relaxation, and stress management. This prioritization of mental and overall well-being can help athletes improve their performance, mentally and physically. 
• Individualized Anxiety Management Plans
• This is a custom strategy to help athletes cope with stress and anxiety according to their specific needs. The goal is to ensure that anxiety does not interfere with their ability to perform at their best. 
• Post-Competition Mental Health Support
• This strategy can help athletes manage their emotional and psychological reactions after a performance. This can include debriefing sessions with sports psychologists and athletic counselors. 

Resources for Audience

1. Learn more about how anxiety can affect sports performance here.
2. Watch this Ted Talk to understand the hidden struggle of mental health here.

About the Author:

Jessica Gardner is a fifth-year senior at Westfield State University who will be graduating in May 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in human performance and Sports Medicine, concentrating in Sports Medicine, as well as a minor in Coaching and Business Management. She has been a student athlete on the Varsity Women’s Basketball team for five years and a captain of the team for two years. Jessica plans on exploring options for her future career, while also attending graduate school to further her education. She can be reached at jessgardner25@gmail.com.

Resources

Charest, J. & Grandner, M. A. (2022). Sleep and Athletic Performance: Impacts on Physical Performance, Mental Performance, Injury Risk and Recovery, and Mental Health: An Update. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 17(2), 225-236.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2022.03.006.

Forys, W. J., & Tokuhama_Espinosa, T. (2022). The Athlete’s Paradox: Adaptable Depression. Sports (Basel), 10(7), 105. doi:10.3390/sports10070105 

Kumar, S., & Devi, G. (2023). Sports Performance and Mental Health of Athletes. SSHA, 1(01), 46-49. doi:10.60081/SSHA.1.1.2023.46-49