Author – Vedika Jogani
A recent graduate from Ithaca College with a Master’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science, specializing in Mental Performance, Vedika Jogani is OMP’s Product and Content Manager.
For athletes, the journey to the Olympics represents the pinnacle of their careers, where the pressure to perform on a global stage can be immense.
But how do they navigate this stress and expectation?
A recent study delved into the coping mechanisms of 15 elite artistic swimmers during the qualifying period for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, shedding light on their strategies for dealing with the pressure.
Researchers identified three main coping mechanisms:
- Mastery coping: This involves strategies aimed at taking control of the situation and addressing stressors directly, such as planning actions and analyzing the situation thoroughly.
- Internal regulation coping: These strategies focus on managing internal responses to stress, including regulating emotions, seeking support, and practicing relaxation techniques.
- Goal-withdrawal coping: Here, athletes disengage from efforts toward goal attainment, which can include venting emotions and stepping back from the situation.
The study, conducted through an online questionnaire, explored various factors including perceived stress, stress mindset, perception of control, coping strategies, performance, and burnout. The results found that:
- Believing that stress can have benefits was associated with more effective coping strategies during the Olympic Games qualification period.
- Positive perceptions of stress were linked to coping strategies that centered on tasks and goals, emphasizing a proactive approach to managing stress.
- Athletes who viewed stress as enhancing performance tended to feel more individually successful, suggesting a mindset conducive to achievement.
Furthermore, seeing stress as enhancing was correlated with feeling more accomplished and experiencing less burnout, highlighting the importance of mindset in shaping athlete well-being.
With the Olympics beginning this week, these insights underscore the importance of equipping athletes with effective coping strategies.
By fostering a positive mindset towards stress and emphasizing proactive coping mechanisms, athletes can better navigate the pressures of elite competition and strive towards peak performance on the world stage.
