STRESS COMES FROM THE TOTAL SPORTING EXPERIENCE, NOT JUST COMPETITIONS

Noblett, A. J., & Gifford, S. M. (2002). The sources of stress experienced by professional Australian footballers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 14, 1-32.

In-depth interviews were conducted with professional Australian football players (N = 32) from two clubs.

Sources of stress beyond those associated with competition (e.g., poor performances) were revealed. Major stresses were a lack of feedback, difficulty balancing football and study commitments, and job insecurity. More specific stresses included performance related pressures, injury, relationships with coaches and teammates, communication systems in the sporting experience, and the interface between football and non-football commitments. This indicates the necessity to consider the total sporting experience spanning general and situation-specific situations, rather than only competitions, when discerning causes of stress and developing stress-coping strategies.

SOURCES OF STRESS IN FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Stress Theme

Examples

Negative aspects of organization systems and culture

Poor communication (e.g., lack of feedback);
Low participation in decision making;
Negative team/cultural norms

Worries about performance expectations and standards

Negative aspects of performance (e.g., pressures to perform);
Negative aspects of actual performance (e.g., poor form);
Performance uncertainty

Career development concerns

Uncertain football future:
Post-football uncertainty

Negative aspects of interpersonal relationships

Negative relationships with coaching staff:
Negative aspects of relationships with support staff:
Negative relationships with other players;
Negative aspects of relationships with supporters, sponsors, media

Demanding nature of work itself

Job content concerns (e.g., training volume, variety, specificity, quality);
Injuries

Problems associated with the work and non-work interface

Relocation concerns;
Work and non-work conflicts

Implication. Sources of stress in Australian football include factors outside of competitions. Psychological support services need to consider all factors when discerning possible problems.

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