Sport psychology: Sport performers’ experiences of stress and emotions

The study discussed in this chapter examined the cognitive appraisals, emotional reactions, further appraisals, and behavioural responses of athletes to the performance and organisational demands encountered within the competition environment. To achieve this, 12 sport performers (6 elite, 6 non-elite) were interviewed. The findings provided insight into the ongoing relationship (transaction) between an athlete’s environment, their subsequent appraisals of the environment and the emotional and behavioural consequences. Specifically, in certain situations athletes’ appraisals and negative emotions experienced were interpreted as debilitative for upcoming performance and influenced behaviour via a lack of control over these thoughts and symptoms. In contrast, examples were cited where demands experienced gave rise to negative appraisals and emotions. However, through a further appraisal of these experiences, athletes were able to interpret these thoughts and feelings as facilitative for upcoming performance, via an increase in focus and/or effort.