Unraveling the impact of stress on performances, training and the overall well-being for figure skaters.

Abstract

Figure skating naturally places high demands on figure skaters, requiring them to almost always be in a prime physical condition, since figure skating requires great coordination, impeccable balance, and a strong consistent mental focus.

This makes the athlete more susceptible to the on-going effects of stress on ones performance levels as the athlete always needs to be at one hundred percent, even during training sessions.

This thesis aims to investigate how stress has an effect on a figure skaters performance and training environment, attempting to delve into the physiological, psychological, training and competition performance. Through extensive research in literature articles, and a questionnaire answered by figure skaters varying of different ages, this study aims to create a better understanding of how stress can have an impact on different aspects of ones figure skating performance, and training. By highlighting the triggers that cause stress to manifest and develop, and the effects it can create in a training, and competition atmosphere, as well as the effect the overall mental well-being of an ice skater, this research hopes to develop an understanding on effective stress management skills, that are uniquely adept in supporting the high demands within figure skating.