A sport can be defined as “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” Specifically, athleticism uses physical activity, endurance, and dedication, but you must also have a balanced mindset while competing to continue in a positive environment.
Many consider athletics to be more physically demanding than mentally exhausting, but research from the Journal of athletic training says otherwise. By competing, and training in high taxing sports, young athletes are exposed “to social isolation, poor academic performance, increased anxiety, greater stress, inadequate sleep, decreased family time, and burnout”(Brenner, LaBotz, Stracciolini, Sugimoto). When competing on travel teams, there is an expectation to dedicate more time to the team, rather than your own mental requirements. An example would be– “travel, particularly east-west travel, can disrupt circadian rhythms and lead to jet lag, impacting sleep quality and quantity”(Heller).
Competitions introduce new-found pressures to teenagers, which can induce emotions of fear, and encourage mental health issues. The definition of underperformance, or atychiphobia is “a persistent and irrational anxiety about not meeting one’s own or others’ expectations.” Several causations of this doubt, and continuous anxiousness while participating in sports are; “Elite athletes may be more susceptible to mental health problems, potentially due to the intense mental and physical demands placed on elite athletes”(Eather, Eime, Pankowiak, Wade). While teenagers are not college athletes, the desire to succeed in athletics can lead athletes into mental fatigue, the overuse of muscles, will eventually cause burn out, and depression-like symptoms.
Coaches engrane the importance of putting personal feelings aside for a sport, and setting unrealistic expectations for athletes, which can foster anxiety for those goals to be met. There are “mental health problems, potentially due to the intense mental and physical demands placed on elite athletes”(Eather, Eime, Pankowiak, Wade). Teenagers may suppress emotions to compete as the best versions of themselves due to stereotypes surrounding opening up about mental health. “There still may be some stigma or barriers to athletes talking about mental health because of inaccurate perceptions. Some people may worry that admitting that you have anxiety or another issue is a sign of weakness”(Vanderkruik).
Mental health impacts up to 35% of athletes in their youth, and it is an issue that continues to be overlooked by the physical endurance required to participate in sports at the competitive level. In the twenty-first century, it is time to prioritize mental well-being, support, and speaking out. By setting reasonable, more attainable goals for athletes there is less fear of underperforming, and an ability to speak out on mental health with teammates, and coaches. There is a time to demand change to protect the future of young athletes, and that time is now. Speak out so the future generations are more secure in their successes, and for the betterment of athletic teams as a whole.