What Pressure Does to an Athlete's Body
5 days ago
- #Neuroscience
- #Performance Anxiety
- #Olympics
- Pressure has actual physical properties and can paralyze even the strongest athletes.
- Stress and anxiety cause increased muscle tension and reduced fine motor control.
- Neurotransmitters like acetylcholine regulate heart rate and muscle contractions, which can be disrupted under stress.
- Olympic athletes like Ilia Malinin and Mikaela Shiffrin have experienced performance anxiety and pressure.
- Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and reframing negative thoughts can help manage stress.
- Athletes can train their bodies to handle stress by simulating high-pressure situations.
- Mikaela Shiffrin overcame her anxiety to win gold by using psychological tools and self-management.
- Stress can corrupt muscle sense, making athletes feel stiff or heavy, leading to errors.
- Proper rest, breathing exercises, and avoiding negative media can help athletes perform under pressure.
- Reframing threats as challenges can release anxiety-inhibiting chemicals, leading to clutch performances.