Pressure in sport: Researchers fight against performance declines!

Pressure in sport: Researchers fight against performance declines!

In competitive sports, pressure situations have an enormous influence on the athletes' performance. In order to better understand these complex mechanisms, the performance psychology department at the German Sport University Cologne receives funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG). The project, led by Dr. Laura Voigt, examines the theory to explain performance in high-pressure situations. This research project is particularly relevant to areas such as police, emergency medicine and sport, where quick decisions must be made under enormous pressure. In these moments, failure to perform can have serious consequences, be it for the health of patients or in competitive sports, where every second counts.

The overall goal of the project is to decipher the mechanisms behind performance failure and develop effective support interventions. Previously, in a DFG preliminary project, the researchers integrated two key concepts into the “Theory of Simplified Information Processing in Action”: motor heuristics and movement analogies. Motor heuristics are simplified rules that enable the rapid selection of movements, while movement analogies use known movement patterns to facilitate new movements. The central hypothesis is that these two concepts are functionally equivalent and can help simplify information processing.

Influence of attention processes

Another focus of the project is on the attention processes that often lead to a loss of performance in competitive sports. Studies show that under psychological pressure, attention is often distracted from the target, which can lead to errors in automated movements such as in basketball or table tennis. Baumeister's explanatory approach, presented in 1984, makes it clear that the high importance of a situation directs more attention to the execution process, which can disrupt automated skills. Recent research, including by Beilock et al. (2004), support this approach and show that an internal focus on execution can have a strong negative impact on performance.

The challenges that athletes experience in pressure situations are complex. Not only do they face the expectations of coaches, family and fans, but also the pressures of social media. These multiple sources of pressure often manifest themselves in psychological problems such as stress, anxiety and, in severe cases, even a decline in performance under pressure, also known as “choking under pressure”. The connection between psychological pressure and physical performance is close; Negative effects can range from sleep disturbances to increased risk of injury.

Strategies for coping with pressure

To meet the challenges of competitive sports, athletes must develop effective strategies. Mental training, mental coaching and sports hypnosis are approaches that can support athletes. Techniques such as visualization and mindfulness help to stabilize your own performance and reduce stress. Another building block is setting realistic and achievable goals, which are broken down into smaller, manageable tasks. A strong social network of family, friends and teammates can also play a crucial role in dealing with pressure.

In conclusion, it can be said that the pressure in competitive sports varies from person to person and requires specific handling. With the right strategies, athletes can not only improve their performance but also protect their psychological well-being. The results of the upcoming project at the German Sport University Cologne could make a decisive contribution to developing scientifically based interventions that help athletes in pressure situations.

The project starts on October 1, 2025 and will run for three years. In collaboration with renowned universities in New Zealand, the research is supported by numerous experiments designed to further investigate the role of motor heuristics and movement analogies. According to the researchers, a deeper understanding of these processes could lead to athletes being better prepared for pressure situations.

German Sports University Cologne reports that... Academia explains the connection between attention processes and sporting performance. Also describes Mental Austria the challenges and strategies for athletes in high-performance sports.