Stress and Pressure Training
David Fletcher, Rachel Arnold
Abstract
Stress is a ubiquitous feature of sport. In a similar way that athletes train for the physical and technical demands of athletic competition, they also need to train for the psychosocial stress and pressure of performance sport. This chapter discusses the psychosocial preparation of athletes for performance in pressurized competition. To begin, the historical origins of stress training are outlined to highlight the main underpinning concepts and theories. The empirical research that supports the notion that individuals can develop following stress-related experiences is then discussed. This evidence subsequently forms the basis for practical guidelines and recommendations to implement stress training in competitive sport. It is concluded that stress and pressure training should be used as part of the effective psychosocial preparation of athletes for performance in pressurized competition.