Examining Athletes' Stress Management Skills During Competition
Chapter from the book:
Uluç,
E.
A.
&
Bulut,
Ç.
&
Uluç,
S.
(eds.)
2025.
Sports Sciences Research 8.
Synopsis
Stress experienced by athletes during competition is considered a multifaceted phenomenon in the literature of sports psychology. Research on the subject reveals that stress is a structural component of the competitive sports environment, and its effects on athletic performance are shaped by the intensity of stress and the psychological responses of athletes to this situation. Stress responses during competition have been observed to follow a variable course due to time constraints, uncertainty of performance, and the pressure created by immediate assessments. In this respect, it can be stated that stress in sports is context-sensitive and situation-specific.
Research results in the literature show that psychological interventions aimed at coping with stress contribute to athletes managing this process more functionally. It is emphasized that cognitive evaluation, emotional regulation, and behavioral control-focused interventions are effective in limiting the negative effects of stress on performance. Within this framework, stress management is considered a fundamental skill area that supports athletes' psychological adjustment during competition and strengthens the sustainability of performance. Overall, understanding the nature and effects of stress during competition plays a crucial role in increasing athletes' psychological resilience and maintaining consistent performance.
