Anxiety
3 articles
Mental PerformanceNovember 12, 2026 · 10 MIN
Pre-Race Anxiety Reappraisal: Turning Nerves Into Performance Fuel
Pre-race anxiety improves performance when reappraised as excitement — a single cognitive reframing technique increases race performance by 1.5-3% compared to anxiety suppression strategies. The difference between choking and peaking on race day is not how much anxiety you feel but how your brain interprets the arousal signal.
Mental PerformanceNovember 5, 2026 · 10 MIN
Choking Under Pressure vs Clutch Performance in Endurance Athletes
Choking under pressure sport research shows that performance decrements of 5-15% occur in high-stakes conditions for susceptible athletes, while clutch performers actually improve 3-8% above baseline. Understanding explicit monitoring theory, distraction models, and individual differences in pressure susceptibility gives you the science to train for the second kind of response. This guide examines the psychological mechanisms and training interventions that separate athletes who wilt from those who deliver.
Mental PerformanceOctober 30, 2026 · 10 MIN
Competition Anxiety: Somatic vs Cognitive Strategies for Endurance Athletes
Competition anxiety manifests as somatic symptoms (elevated heart rate, GI distress) or cognitive worry (catastrophizing, negative self-talk). Learn research-backed strategies to manage each type and race at your best.