There was a detailed study in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine about the differences in how elite and non-elite performers deal with anxiety before competition. Their findings showed that non-elite performers tended to use relaxation techniques while elite performers embraced their anxiety and channeled it into their psychological preparation.
Before you read this study, I wanted to give you a few preparatory statements about the study:
- It was specific to rugby, a high intensity, team-oriented sport
- The study is highly technical, so scroll down to the very bottom and read the sections labeled Conclusions and Key Points
- Elite and non-elite refer to levels of individual ability
The takeaway from this study is that you do not have to be an elite athlete to prepare like one. The findings show that the use of imagery and verbal self-persuasion are needed by all athletes to perform at a high level. In short, you should welcome the anxiety you feel before the big event and use it to better prepare yourself for the task ahead of you.
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