What is the Psychological Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Competitive Anxiety Levels in Athletes?
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Presentation Type
Asynchronous
Entry Number
2333
School
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Department
Athletic Training
Keywords
stress, somatic, relaxation, performance
Abstract
Clinical Scenario: Recent evidence has shown that progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) can enhance an athlete’s coping ability in stressful situations like competitive athletics and during rehabilitation. PMR works to allow the user to become more aware of their body and what stressors cause tension. Currently, more research is being conducted on PMR within athletics; however, there is minimal evidence on utilizing PMR to decrease competitive anxiety and increase performance. Clinical Question: What is the psychological effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation on competitive anxiety levels in competitive athletes? Summary of Key Findings: After a thorough literature search, 3 studies relevant to the clinical question were selected. All 3 studies were randomized control trials. All 3 studies found benefits in using progressive muscle relaxation to reduce competitive anxiety and the stressors related to sports. Clinical Bottom Line: The results of this review suggest that progressive muscle relaxation when taught correctly can produce beneficial effects on competitive anxiety in the athletic population. Clinicians should consider learning the right cues to use for progressive muscle relaxation and the correct technique to have the patient focus throughout the intervention. Strength of Recommendation: There is grade B evidence to support the decrease of competitive anxiety in competitive athletes utilizing progressive muscle relaxation.
Keywords: Stress, somatic, relaxation, performance
Primary Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Debbie Bradney Dr. Nicki Favero
Primary Faculty Mentor(s) Department
Master of Science in Athletic Training Psychological Science
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What is the Psychological Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Competitive Anxiety Levels in Athletes?
Clinical Scenario: Recent evidence has shown that progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) can enhance an athlete’s coping ability in stressful situations like competitive athletics and during rehabilitation. PMR works to allow the user to become more aware of their body and what stressors cause tension. Currently, more research is being conducted on PMR within athletics; however, there is minimal evidence on utilizing PMR to decrease competitive anxiety and increase performance. Clinical Question: What is the psychological effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation on competitive anxiety levels in competitive athletes? Summary of Key Findings: After a thorough literature search, 3 studies relevant to the clinical question were selected. All 3 studies were randomized control trials. All 3 studies found benefits in using progressive muscle relaxation to reduce competitive anxiety and the stressors related to sports. Clinical Bottom Line: The results of this review suggest that progressive muscle relaxation when taught correctly can produce beneficial effects on competitive anxiety in the athletic population. Clinicians should consider learning the right cues to use for progressive muscle relaxation and the correct technique to have the patient focus throughout the intervention. Strength of Recommendation: There is grade B evidence to support the decrease of competitive anxiety in competitive athletes utilizing progressive muscle relaxation.
Keywords: Stress, somatic, relaxation, performance