Alejandro Ochoa: «The athlete, in addition to being an athlete, is also human»

Sport is much more than carrying out coordinated movements adapted to the rules of a game. Behind all these displays of physical prowess is the realm of the psychological, a field in which many times the most important battles are fought both in each of the athletes, and within the teams that they can to form.

Pre-competitive anxiety is an example of this: a physiological and mental phenomenon that can make a difference between victory and defeat, between coordination and mental block. To better understand what it consists of, we have interviewed Dr. Alejandro Ochoa, an expert psychologist in Sports Psychology residing in Tepic.

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Interview with Dr. Alejandro Ochoa: pre-competitive anxiety

Alejandro Ochoa Pepper He is a psychologist and a Dr. in Humanist Education trained in the field of psychological assistance to adults and adolescents, as well as in Sports Psychology. He is also a researcher and teacher at the Autonomous University of Nayarit, Mexico. In this interview he explains to us what is pre-competitive anxiety and what are the characteristics of this phenomenon.

What exactly is pre-competitive anxiety?

It is a sensation of alteration of organic functioning that manifests itself both physically and mentally. Physically, there is an increase in heart rate, sweating, and in some cases an increase in body temperature, among other symptoms. With regard to the mental, a series of mental images are presented, precisely related to immediacy competitive, which can cause in some cases a perception of limitation and / or reduction of skills competitive.

However, it does not always cause harmful alterations, since this sensation is related to stress, which in Specifically, it is an activation at the corticosteroid level, which gives rise to two stages called stress and distress. In the first, the athlete experiences an irrepressible desire to initiate competitive demand since the person who experiences it is perceived as capable and skilled to cope with everything that comes their way during the competition, and with regard to distress, the athlete experiences an unpleasant sensation that depending on the competitive demand can cause more severe somatic alterations, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and desire to flee from the demand sporty.

Is it limited to the field of sports competitions?

In the first instance, one could say yes; However, in some athletes it is possible that the sensations are prolonged to other areas such as the family, social, affective etc.

What vulnerabilities does this type of anxiety expose us to?

I believe that the greatest vulnerability can manifest itself in a loss of self-confidence, which in simple words means the capacity of the individual to rely on their own physical, mental and strategic resources, to deal with their demands.

Thus, once bliss is experienced anxiety, it is possible that cognitive alterations may occur that limit decision-making and cause doubtful states that transcend in imprecise executions with high possibilities of altering other dimensions in which the athlete.

What peculiarities does this form of anxiety have that distinguish it from other disorders of this type?

That this is presented before the imminence of a sports demand, although it may happen that pre-competitive anxiety is experienced months, weeks, days and hours prior to the competition. That is, the athlete focuses permanently on what will be his sports performance, so the experience of anxiety in longer, which can contribute to the development of psychosomatic alterations that impede action efficient.

Is it possible to transform that tension and mental activity generated by anxiety into motivation?

Definitely yes. Motivation we can say colloquially, which consists of finding a motive for action, therefore, it is can guide attention to setting performance targets and results based on evolution personal. Example: in the case of soccer, developing greater skill in kicking the ball with different points on the same foot, kicking with both feet, etc.

Specifically, it is about implementing objectives that are directly related to one's ability and skills rather than focus attention on the result only, since the latter depends on more variables than the athlete is possible control. In addition to avoiding, as far as possible, setting expectations of high "flights".

As an expert psychologist in Sport Psychology, in your opinion, in what aspects do you have the support of a professional specialized in this field of intervention can make a difference from the point of view of athletes and clubs sports?

The main function of the sports psychologist is to accompany the athlete in all aspects of the activity. Frequently there are cases of loss of motivation, self-confidence, perspective, interpersonal relationship problems, social skills, etc.

That is, the athlete, in addition to being one, is also a human being immersed in a social world that is part of his environment, therefore it must be considered that the athlete plays a double role that per se is already a source ansionigena.

Could you briefly explain some of the techniques used in Sports Psychology to manage pre-competitive anxiety?

There is a wide range of techniques that are used depending on the multiple situations that can be present in an athlete, among the most used are those contemplated in the approach cognitive-behavioral. Within these we can name the establishment of results and achievement objectives, the matrices of decision, shaping, contingency management, cognitive re-signification, creative approach, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation etc.