Coping with Distress in Athletes: Strategies and Barriers

Cognitive techniques and mental strategies are utilized by athletes to enhance performance in their sport, particularly when it comes to managing physical distress or discomfort. This literature review aims to both compile the most current literature on the cognitive strategies athletes implement to counter physical distress, as well as address the mental barriers they may face. Searches conducted in Google Scholar and PsycINFO as well as articles drawn from the reference sections of chosen articles yielded a total of 11 peer reviewed articles related to the main focus of this literature review. Within the available literature on mental strategies,, there were studies with data highlighting techniques that athletes were found to commonly utilize to manage distress. Some of these mental strategies include self-relating type strategies of self-efficacy as well as self-talk. Additionally, athletes often implemented cognitive reframing type strategies such as mindfulness, attentional control, and imagery to help with their pain tolerance levels as well as injury recovery. Finally, mental barriers such as fearing and catastrophizing pain were shown to inhibit athletes’ ability to perform, as perceived pain became a mental obstacle. Overall, the aforementioned mental strategies and the obstacles athletes encounter can be important to take into account when analyzing physical distress in athletes.