The psychological disease in sport: Stress, anxiety, self-esteem and wellness of the athletes

Until now, the fact that psychological factors have an influence on athletes’ performance is commonly accepted in the sport psychology area. Because of this, the thorough study of psychological factors that determine consequences on the result, have shed new light on how correct researches about this subject are important. The individual reaction to stress, for example, is determined by the personality, although it presents common aspects regarding hormonal reactions. During a sport event circumstance, a stress stimulus will have consequences on the result. As for stress, a light anxiety level can help the performance, but if average levels are crossed, anxiety turns into a limit that compromises the subject’s functions. Self-esteem in sport is fundamental, it enables the athlete to give his best and the lack of it is one of the major obstacle that a champion could meet on his way. Furthermore, it is important to underline that body and mind are in deep connection with each other. So taking care of physical shape goes along with the mental and psychological balance achievement, which allows reaching a wellness state. This state, experimented by the athlete in sport performances, is known as the “flow”. In the application of appropriate intervention methods, the analysis of stress, anxiety and self-esteem and the knowledge of the athlete could be helpful. This statement is particularly true especially in crisis or low scores situations. Managing the athlete’s psychophysical state means being aware of his difficulties and his potential to develop techniques that allow an acceleration of the adapting processes and to turn a potentially “negative” situation into a “positive” one.