While athletes often focus on things they perceive they can control to improve their performance (weight), that hyper-focus can actually negatively impact performance and contribute to increased rigidity, compulsive behaviors including exercise, heightened anxiety, and lower mood. Reaching a certain number creates a lot of pressure, stress, fear, and anxiety.
It is important to support athletes to zoom out and see there are 40 factors that impact sport performance including sleep hygiene, fueling to meet your energy needs, rest, recovery, mental preparation, focus, self-belief, and self-talk to name a few. Investing in setting SMART goals around these other factors has the potential to increase psychological flexibility, resilience, and relieve pressure or stress.
Factors that Impact Sport Performance
Genetics
Physical Health
Mental Health
Sleep
Rest
Training
Practice
Coordination
Balance
Speed
Quickness
Reaction Time
Mental Preparation
Concentration
Confidence
Competitiveness
Poise
Heart
Courage
Endurance
Nutrition
Coachability
Anticipation
Hard Work
Mental Toughness
Motivation
Respect
Sacrifice
Teamwork
Perfectionism
Teammate Dynamics
Intelligence
Heart
Desire
Weight
VO2Max
Body Composition
Changing The Narrative
It’s time to change the narrative. It is important that we continue to challenge rigid beliefs around weight and body composition. There is not one body type that can excel in a certain sport.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Lindsey Landgrebe who is a Licensed Counseling and Sport Psychologist who specializes in working with female athletes who struggle with perfectionism, compulsive exercise, body image distress, anxiety, eating concerns, and mood disorders.
www.thebridgesportpsych.com