Too Much Social Media
Research has shown that the first factors to decline in performance are mood, cognitive function, and the ability of the brain to perform motor skills. Social media is well known for its contribution towards this, with consequences ranging from reduced sleep to FOMO which could lead to bad decisions that affect an athlete’s life. Online platforms are also a common place for criticism to fester, and even professional athletes are susceptible to negative comments. Overall, it provides many forms of distractions, making it harder to focus on what’s truly important.
Climate Conditions
– Outdoor sports are particularly vulnerable to weather extremities like the temperature, humidity, and wind.
– Thermoregulation depends on the individual’s body type, as smaller sized people will produce and store less heat than larger athletes.
– High altitude and poor air quality also affects playing conditions since there is a limited amount of oxygen available.
Neglecting To Warm-Up
It might seem like common sense, but only about 50% of athletes have basic knowledge of the correct pre-game routine. While things like stretching cannot prevent injury, it does improve motion in your joints, increase blood flow, and decrease feelings of stiffness.
Use of Music
Music reduces stress and anxiety levels, helping athletes to relax before, during, and after training or competitions. Depending on the tempo of the music, it can reduce your rate of perceived effort by 12% and improve your endurance by 15% as it is a positive distraction that diverts our focus away from any discomfort. It is also used to enhance the enjoyment of spectators and set the mood in the place of play.
Emotions
Sport is as much a mental game as a physical one, so cerebral toughness is always an important skill. Different emotions will affect players differently.
– Anxiety: This causes the athlete to focus too much on the negatives and therefore overthink basic concepts.
– Anger: Depending on the task, rage may actually enhance sporting performance especially if it is something physical. However, it will also cloud judgement and affect the atmosphere in a team environment.
– Hope and Happiness: A pleasant emotional state motivates the athlete and provides an enjoyable playing experience. Too much relaxation could cause unforced errors but the side that is optimistic is usually more likely to win.
Presence of Pressure and Stereotypes
Athletes who use pressure for their own benefit can gain an edge in motivation, concentration, and enjoyment but for others it could have a detrimental impact on mindset. Researchers conducting a social experiment found that when a player is expected to do well, their performance actually decreases under observer pressure. But on the other hand, athletes who felt they were expected to play poorly performed worse both with and without pressure from observers. Although expectations are only concepts created by our minds, they can have both positive and negative effects.
Undereating or Overeating
While your food consumption needs to provide you with enough energy to be strong, too much can make you feel sluggish. The portion, frequency of your meals, and the time you eat all impact your athletic ability. Hydration is incredibly important as well and for those who are serious on dieting, there are certain foods that boost aspects of your performance which could be worth looking into.
Ultimately, it is impossible to completely eliminate every element that might negatively impact your athletic performance. Occasional obstacles in routine will always appear, and all stressors are a natural part of life. Even pre-game speeches can make a huge difference! So accept that not everything can be controlled, but be aware of these little factors so you can learn to adjust as they come.
16th September, 2024
Written by Ally Chu, edited by Hope Zhang
Image by Unsplash
