Sports Medicine.................................................. 18

The PHE is a standard across elite sport to identify existing conditions that need addressing and mitigating. Although its value has not been demonstrated to extend to predicting new injuries, its value for existing conditions is clear. A standard level PHE is relatively easy to access – together an interested GP or Sports Physician and a Physiotherapist can provide all that is required. Not only does it reduce the risk of exacerbating existing injuries and increasing rehabilitation requirements, it allows coaches and trainers to tailor programs for individual athletes to speed up recovery. Finally, it also provides a degree of protection for coaching hierarchies from accusations of negligence should an underlying condition lead to harm.

Dr Jeff MacLeod MFSEM FRCGP

FURTHER READING:

McCall A, Carling C, Davison M, Nedelec M, Le Gall F, Berthoin S, Dupont G: Injury risk factors, screening tests and preventative strategies: a systematic review of the evidence that underpins the perceptions and practices of 44 football (soccer) teams from various premier leagues; Br J Sports Med 2015 May; 49(9): 583-9: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25576530/

McCall A, Davison M, Anderson TE, Beasley I, Bizzini M, Dupont G, Duffield R, Carling C, Dvorak J: Injury prevention strategies at the FIFA 2014 World Cup: perceptions and practices of the physicians from the 32 participating national teams; Br J Sports Med 2015 May: 49(9): 603-8: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25878078/

McCall A, Dupont G, Ekstrand J: Injury prevention strategies, coach compliance and player adherence of 33 of the UEFA Elite Club Injury Study teams: a survey of teams’ head medical officers; Br J Sports Med, 2016 June; 50(12): 725-30: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26795611/

MANAGING PERFORMANCE ANXIETY Developing Your Strategy for Success

You’ve been training for months. You know you have worked hard and prepared, however, your mind is filled with negative, out of control thoughts. You are struggling to breathe easily and you can’t seem to sleep. Have you ever wondered why you struggle with this but others seem to have their best performances when under pressure? Wonder no more. Understanding performance anxiety and identifying its optimal level for you to perform at your best could be key to realizing greater success.

WHAT IS PERFORMANCE ANXIETY?

Performance anxiety is best described as an unpleasant psychological state in reaction to perceived stress that often results in physiological, cognitive and behavioural responses that (negatively) impact your performance. The prefrontal cortex of the brain is activated by a series of thoughts triggering the “fight or flight” response. In most athletes, this feeling of enhanced excitement enables them to perform at their best. But for many, the intensity of the responses can be an ongoing challenge that negatively impacts the experience of competition and performance.

PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNS OF PERFORMANCE ANXIETY

• racing pulse and rapid breathing • dry mouth and tight throat • trembling hands, knees, lips, and voice • sweaty and cold hands • nausea and an uneasy feeling in your stomach • vision changes

COGNITIVE SIGNS OF PERFORMANCE ANXIETY

• focusing too much on the outcome of the competition causing mental lapses in the moment • unrealistic views of your performance expectations • negative self-talk • exaggeration • hyper-sensitivity