Issue of Sports Performance Anxiety Essay Example

negative impact of anxiety and enhance performance. Female athletes involved in male-dominated sports should acknowledge the hurdles they may encounter and refrain from letting self-doubt obstruct their performance (Smith, 2014). For teenage female athletes, having confidence and feeling secure are vital as anxiety can easily emerge when these emotions are lacking. Furthermore, substance abuse has become a prevalent issue among teenage girls, which can result in suicidal thoughts and exacerbate anxiety.

There is a common link between depression and self-injury, particularly among female teenagers who are part of male-dominated sports teams. The expectations set by coaches contribute to this anxiety. In the field of sports psychology, athletes need to identify the sources of their anxiety and modify their thoughts and emotions in order to succeed in their sport. Sports performance anxiety can greatly reduce confidence levels and result in below-average performances. To prevent anxiety related to sports among female teenagers, it is crucial to address personal mental perceptions and thinking patterns.

Reasons

Female teenagers face various causes of anxiety in sports, encompassing depression, low self-esteem, insecurity, and a feeling of unsafety. Additionally, substance abuse has a notable impact as it induces severe psychological consequences, ultimately resulting in suicidal ideation and actions among female teenagers.

The fear of self-injury, especially in female teenagers who are more susceptible to sports injuries, increases anxiety. This anxiety is further heightened when playing on a team consisting only of men (Sarason et al., 2014). Additionally, coaches' expectations can also induce anxiety. If these expectations require high levels of performance, female teenagers on male teams may feel anxious about not meeting them and letting down their teammates. Consequently, an excessive focus on winning by coaches

can worsen anxiety in female teenagers.

Strategies

There are two most common relaxation techniques applied in avoiding sports performance anxiety including progressive and imaginal relaxation. The progressive relaxation technique is mainly associated with muscle relaxation before the sports activity. Muscle relaxation is then followed by deep breath exercises to enable you to relax completely and alleviate anxiety. The technique also involves tensing the specific muscle group that is primarily involved in the particular sport you are engaged in. This will help you maintain and release tension and anxiety, respectively. Individuals who practice the progressive relaxation technique to minimize performance anxiety should start the exercise from the lower extremities of the body and gradually move to the upper extremities.

Alternatively, the imaginal relaxation technique relies on cognitive processes and does not involve any muscle tension exercises. It primarily focuses on the mental aspect and an individual's perception of their own desires. This technique can help reduce stress related to sports performance by shifting the focus away from external opinions and instead concentrating on personal goals.

In conclusion, changing the mindset of teenage girls is another strategy to address their anxiety. It is important for girls not to feel uncomfortable or out of place on male-dominated sports teams. Instead, they should view it as a normal situation and aim to perform well. By adopting a positive perspective, girls can overcome their anxiety. Additionally, it is crucial for them to acknowledge their own abilities and have faith in their ability to succeed in sports traditionally dominated by males.

Interventions

To prevent performance anxiety, it is crucial to prepare mentally and physically. This involves arriving early to the event to

avoid rushing and stress. It is also advised to do warm-ups, stretching, and wear appropriate clothing (Rathschlag, 2013). Female teenagers should acknowledge and accept any nervous energy they may feel instead of perceiving it as fear. This can help decrease anxiety and maintain a sense of relaxation before, during, and after the sporting event. Additionally, individuals facing anxiety in sports performance should frequently practice visualization.

Building confidence and overcoming sports performance anxiety can be achieved by mentally rehearsing and visualizing success. It is important to concentrate on the current task rather than becoming preoccupied with the ultimate outcome. Furthermore, recognizing that any result is feasible in competitions is crucial for alleviating anxiety.

This will help female teenagers to be prepared for any outcome and thus prevent excessive anxiety. It is important to be fully present and avoid dwelling on the outcome of the event. During sports activities, it is important not to have negative thoughts about oneself or the possibility of failure.

Conclusion

Sports performance anxiety is the main issue contributing to poor results among most female teenagers in sports participation. It is crucial for female teenagers participating in these events to understand the causes of this anxiety. Through this understanding, they can develop strategies to mitigate the effects of performance anxiety.

It is important for individuals engaged in sports events to have awareness of the potential for both success and failure. This awareness can help reduce stress and anxieties related to performance. Having a positive mindset and making decisions that lead to positive results are crucial. Employing effective strategies and tips can aid in preventing sports performance anxiety. Mental imagery visualization, especially for female teenagers, can greatly enhance self-confidence.

Failing to address sports performance anxiety can cause significant psychological distress among those impacted.

References

• Englert, C., &Bertrams, A. (2012). Anxiety, ego depletion, and sports performance. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 34(5), 580.
• Leitenberg, H. (Ed.). (2013). Handbook of social and evaluation anxiety. Springer Science & Business Media.
• O’rourke, D. J., Smith, R. E., Smoll, F. L., & Cumming, S. P. (2014). Relations of parent-and coach-initiated motivational climates to young athletes’ self-esteem, performance anxiety, and autonomous motivation: who is more influential?. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 26(4), 395-408.
• Rathschlag, M., &Memmert, D.

The article titled "The influence of self-generated emotions on physical performance: an investigation of happiness, anger, anxiety, and sadness" by Sarason, I. G. and Pierce, G. (2013) is published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. The article can be found on pages 197-210.

R., & Sarason, B. R. (2014). Cognitive interference: Theories, methods, and findings. Routledge.

The article "PERFORMANCE ANXIETY, COGNITIVE INTERFERENCE, AND CONCENTRATION ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES IN SPORTS" by E. (2014) is featured in the book "Cognitive interference: Theories, methods, and findings" on page 261.