ABSTRACT
We all encounter stressful situations in our lives. It might be speaking in public or taking a test, or even just managing constant day-to-day demands. We know that sensation of butterflies in our stomach and maybe having a little shake in our hands or feeling overwhelmed by a giant “to do” list. Something we might not notice is that, when we’re anxious about things, our peripheral vision narrows (“tunnel vision”) and our muscles tense up. This happens in sport, too, and some research suggests that these stress responses increase injury risk. For instance, an athlete may be so focused on catching a ball that they don’t see a tackler coming their way, or their tensed muscles might not absorb an impact very well. This chapter examines the relationships between stress, attention, and injury in sport. It suggests methods of minimizing negative stress responses and covers the key limitations in this area of research to help guide practitioners when applying evidence to practice.
