In a recent match, Norwegian goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland misjudged a pass, allowing Portuguese striker Gonçalo Ramos to score, contributing to Norway's loss. Despite the media's negative response, Nyland's calm demeanor in the post-match interview drew praise. Clinical psychologist Magnus Ueland Nygaard, who co-authored a study on the subject, noted that Nyland's reaction reflects the psychological resilience developed through his career.
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Nygaard, along with Audun Havnen, a professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), surveyed 150 Norwegian football players aged 16 to 40. The research focused on metacognitive beliefs, specifically how players interpret their thoughts and the effects on competitive anxiety. Competitive anxiety, often leading to physical tension and lack of focus, has been linked to underperformance in football.
Current sports psychology techniques often address athletes' negative expectations about performance. However, fewer studies have explored how players' concerns about their thought processes contribute to anxiety.
Nygaard highlighted the use of metacognitive therapy frameworks in sports psychology, utilizing concepts like detached mindfulness. These techniques aim to enhance performance rather than solely mitigate psychological issues. The popular TV show Ted Lasso illustrates these ideas, where characters engage in unconventional mental exercises to improve their game.
The research further distinguished between elite and amateur athletes, revealing that amateur players reported higher levels of competitive anxiety than their elite counterparts. Older players also experienced less anxiety compared to younger ones, and women exhibited greater anxiety than men, with female athletes making up only 23% of the surveyed group.
Participants reported varying perceptions of worry; some viewed it as a helpful tool, while others found it overwhelming. Elite athletes often use visualization techniques to prepare mentally for games, as highlighted by stars like Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo, who emphasize the importance of mental rehearsal. However, Nygaard cautioned that excessive reliance on this can lead to detrimental worry.
The study differentiates between positive and negative metacognitive beliefs. Positive beliefs involve rituals that players consider advantageous for preparation, while negative beliefs lead to feelings of helplessness against worrying. The findings suggest that amateur players possess more anxiety regarding performance, potentially due to less effective coping strategies.
Nygaard and Havnen propose that shifting focus to controllable aspects of performance can help mitigate anxiety. They emphasize that understanding one's thought processes is vital, particularly as athletes navigate the pressures of competition. As the researchers conclude, tailored interventions might help players at all levels manage their performance anxiety effectively.