ABSTRACT
I hypothesize that similar mind-body mechanisms thought to drive physiological hyperreactivity and the resulting clinical complaints in patients can disrupt performance, and athletes who can control attentional focus, cognitive activity, and intensity are more likely to perform to their peak potential (Hanin 1980; Wickramasekera 1988; Carlstedt 1998; Taylor 1996). Although athletes are not necessarily expected to incur the negative health consequences that are associated with undesirable constellations of hypnotic ability/absorption, neuroticism, and repressive coping (RC), their ability to perform to peak potential may be affected by the negative physiological concomitants of dysfunctional cognitions and unconscious processes that have been shown to underlie these measures. In contrast, positive constellations of these traits and the mechanisms that protect and promote health may facilitate sport performance.
