By John Affleck — 2019
Experts I spoke with for this story pointed to a couple of reasons professional athletes are particularly susceptible to mental health issues.
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CLEAR ALL
Out in the chalk circle, my vision became tunneled, my stomach tied in knots, and I felt like I couldn’t hear anything but my own racing thoughts.
A half-pipe course lasts about 22 seconds. Alpine skiers fly through the air for five seconds. Figure skaters complete three twirls in a breath.
When Minnesota Vikings punter Jeff Locke learned how to control his attention, he learned how to cope better with pressure and improved his performance in games. Pressure can get to any athlete, that is, if the athlete lets it happen.
What makes an elite sports star suddenly unable to do the very thing they have been practising for years? And is there anything they can do about it?