Stress Physiology and Assessment
Match stress as an interplay of physical activation and its evaluation: Tension evaluated as a challenge has a different effect than tension evaluated as a threat.
Intended for
Explain why symptoms occur and why their interpretation co-determines performance.
Who does the evidence apply to?
Lab studies and field studies with athletes, some involving young people.
Boundaries
Evaluations can't be switched off by command. If severe anxiety persists, re-framing isn't enough.
In athlete speak
The same heart rate can mean 'I'm scared' or 'I'm ready'. What you make of it changes the game more than the pulse itself.
Accessible doesn't mean inaccurate: We simplify the language, not the message.
For Parents
What we know
The evaluation of tension influences performance and experience.
What we don't know
How stable re-interpretations remain over a season.
What that means in practice
Normalise symptoms, don't dramatise or downplay them.
Sources
- Jamieson, J. P., Mendes, W. B., Blackstock, E., & Schmader, T. (2010). Turning the knots in your stomach into bows: Reappraising arousal improves performance on the GRE. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.Single studyPopulation: Young adults under exam pressureDOI 10.1016/j.jesp.2009.08.015
- Hanton, S., Mellalieu, S. D., & Hall, R. (2004). Self-confidence and anxiety interpretation: A qualitative investigation. Psychology of Sport and Exercise.Single studyPopulation: Competitive athletesDOI 10.1016/S1469-0292(03)00040-2
Content on this method
Why you get nervous before games – and why that’s okay
Cold hands, churning stomach, pulse racing at 120 during warm-up. What's happening in your body and how to use it.
Little game time – and how you can get back in the game
Being on the bench doesn't mean you're bad. But uncertainty can be demoralising. Here's how to get clarity.
Criticism from the coach: separate the tone from the content
Some coaches are loud. That doesn't make the information wrong – and the tone isn't okay.
Mental routines belong in training, not in the game
What you want to do in the game, you need to have practised on a Tuesday at 6 PM.
The drive home after the game
For many, it's the toughest part of game day. Here's how it can change – for everyone involved.
What's going on in your child's head right now
On the court, your child takes on responsibility; at home, they snap at a simple question. That can be baffling. It doesn’t mean a lack of maturity, nor does it point to a single biological cause. Ask about the specific situation instead of writing off the behaviour as “just puberty”.
After a bad game: What really helps?
A missed shot plays on your child’s mind. You also saw good moments and want to offer comfort. Before listing them, check: does your child actually want to talk about the match right now? There’s no need for a compulsory debrief, nor a ban on talking straight away.
Competitive Sport and Pressure: Where Does Encouragement End?
“I’m sorry you made the trip for nothing.” That phrase can be an opening to talk about expectations. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent. Ask how your child received it, rather than rushing to justify your support.
These contents are knowledge and training offerings from sport psychology. They do not replace psychotherapy, medical treatment, or professional sport psychological support.