PERFECTIONISM / 004 [WHY DO SOME PERFECTIONISTS SEE A BIG MATCH AS A CHANCE, AND OTHERS AS A THREAT?]

Question
How does perfectionism affect the way you feel before a competition?

Study
Researchers surveyed 271 British athletes, around 23 years old, from team sports like football and hockey and individual sports like tennis and fencing. They measured their perfectionism, how they viewed an important upcoming competition, and how they felt about it.

Findings
Athletes high in striving were more likely to see a competition as a challenge: a chance to show what they can do. That was linked to feeling energised, focused and ready. Athletes high in concerns were more likely to see the same competition as a threat. That was linked to feelings that get in the way of performing, like tension and doubt. Athletes at a higher level and in team sports reported more concerns, probably because more is at stake.

What It Means for Athletes
The match is the same. How you read it makes the difference. Worrying about mistakes pushes you toward seeing danger instead of opportunity. The good news is that how you view a competition is something you can practise. This was a single survey, so it shows links, not proof of cause.

Try this: the day before your next competition, write down two things. What can I gain here? And what do I already have that helps me handle it, like training, experience or teammates?

Source
Ruiz, M. C., Appleton, P. R., Duda, J. L., Bortoli, L., & Robazza, C. (2023). Perfectionism and performance-related psychobiosocial states: The mediating role of competition appraisals. European Journal of Sport Science, 23(5), pp. 797 to 808.

BEHIND THE SCIENCE
Translating sports science into information athletes can actually use.