Written by Naza Yammine

Thumbnail Photo by @kevinlove on Instagram

As an athlete, getting worked up about upcoming games is going to happen, especially when considering that the stakes are high. Although worrying is normal, and can sometimes even push athletes to perform their best, an unhealthy amount of pre-game anxiety can actually become paralyzing. The high level of stress tenses the athlete's body, impacting the coordinated movement required for their athletic performance. Athletes can also feel like they are trapped in their own thoughts, triggering an endless cycle of negative self-talk which impacts morale. This type of anxiety, the wave of negative and intrusive thoughts that take over an athletes mindset before a game is known as performance anxiety. For athletes, this phenomenon can occur before a big game, where there is a lot of pressure from coaches, teammates, crowds, and even high self-expectations.It is also important to take into account the financial burdens present from being an athlete, as well as the stress to keep up with school work and their social lives at the same time. This state of anxiety is relatively common for athletes, and is well studied by sports psychologists, considering these young athletes have so much on their plates.

Pre-game anxiety is widespread amongst athletes, especially varsity athletes. Studies have shown that amateur athletes are more likely than seasoned professionals to experience anxiety that impacts their ability to perform in competition due to a lack of experience managing stress, and frequently combined with the pressure to impress scouts looking for potential future professional athletes. Of course, this level of stress, although more common amongst amateurs, does not mean that professional athletes do not experience pre-game anxiety. Athletes such as Naomi Osaka, Kevin Love, Michael Phelps, and more recently, Simone Biles, have all discussed their experiences with performance anxiety and mental health struggles within the athletic world. For example, Kevin Love explained in an article he wrote for the Players Tribune that during halftime against the Atlanta Hawks on November 5th, 2018, he experienced what he later realized was a panic attack. In his article, he goes in-depth about how he felt and what had led him to that point. Simone Biles was additionally very open about her mental health struggles this year, even withdrawing from the individual all-around competition in the Olympics this year to prioritize her mental health. Their stories just go to show how even the top athletes, those who have incredible success stories and have worked tremendously hard to reach where they are today, still get anxious when it comes to competition.

Having understood the gravity of pre-game anxiety, it is also important to find resources and learn how to cope. Research has shown that self-confidence plays a significant role in how anxiety symptoms during athletic performances are responded to and dealt with. The more an athlete is confident in their ability to perform, the more likely they are to thrive from the challenge of competition instead of feeling burdened by it. The question then becomes, how does an athlete build the self-confidence they need? There are specific steps that can shape an athlete's mentality towards competition and themselves. First, they must first acknowledge that they are experiencing anxiety. Once they have understood what they are experiencing, they should question the roots of their fear and attempt to understand what it is about: why is it that you feel this immense amount of pressure? Is it because you are afraid of disappointing others? After this has been established, the athletes should question the logic behind their fear. Ask yourself: “what is the worst thing that can happen? Why does this fear feel so important?” It is also essential for athletes to remind themselves of their passion for the sport they play in the first place and allow this to drive them instead of the fear of losing or of disappointment.

After comprehending the fear at hand, pre-game anxiety becomes easier to tackle, especially with the right resources. The International OCD Foundation and Mental Awareness in Sports Special Interest Group developed what is known as "Anxiety in Athletes." It provides information and awareness about anxiety and OCD in a sports context, allowing athletes to find the proper tools to advocate for themselves and their anxiety. It not only focuses on the athletes themselves but also provides resources for team staff to help them assist athletes who experience these high levels of anxiety.

It is easy to ignore the anxiety and push yourself to the extreme, but ask yourselves, is it worth it in the long run? When your heart races before every game, when you feel nauseated before you run to your position, when it takes you ages to catch your breath before you even start, these are signs that you may need help. Mental health is not something you have to be afraid of, as Kevin Love stated: "I want to remind you that you're not weird or different for sharing what you're going through. Just the opposite. It could be the most important thing you do. It was for me."

An Athlete’s Guide to Peak Performance: Understanding Pre-Game Anxiety

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