What is a common outcome of anxiety in athletes?

Anxiety can significantly impact athletes' performance and overall mindset. One common outcome of anxiety is reduced motivation, which may lead to avoiding competition altogether. When athletes experience heightened levels of anxiety, they often find it difficult to cope with the pressures of competition, which can result in feeling overwhelmed and discouraging them from participating in events or training sessions.

Additionally, anxiety can create a fear of failure, leading to a loss of confidence and a general withdrawal from competitive scenarios. This response could include skipping practice, not putting in full effort, or even opting out of competitions, all of which are signs of how anxiety can undermine their drive and commitment to the sport.

In contrast, options such as heightened focus and concentration, improved physical performance, and enhanced team cooperation may occur in certain contexts but are not commonly seen as outcomes directly associated with anxiety. In fact, anxiety typically disrupts focus and may hinder performance instead of enhancing it. Hence, the connection between anxiety and reduced motivation—often manifesting as avoidance—is clear and evident among many athletes.