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The Cortisol Awakening Response and Resilience in Elite Swimmers
J Meggs1, J Golby2, C J Mallett3
1Psychology, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|October 29, 2015
Summary
Resilience significantly impacts athletic performance in swimmers. Higher resilience buffers the negative effects of cortisol release (stress hormone) on performance, suggesting a key role in managing competitive stress.
Area of Science:
- Sport Psychology
- Endocrinology
- Physiological Psychology
Background:
- The sports environment presents unique stressors, including perceived uncontrollability and ego-involvement.
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, indicated by cortisol release, responds to anticipated sports competition.
- Individual differences like optimism and perfectionism may moderate cortisol's impact on performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between resilience, cortisol release, and athletic performance in swimmers.
- To determine if resilience moderates the influence of cortisol on performance outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 41 national and international swimmers (27 male).
- Collected buccal saliva samples to measure total cortisol release (AUC) before and during competition.
- Administered a resilience measure to all participants.
Main Results:
- Resilience was found to be a significant predictor of athletic performance.
- The effect of cortisol release (AUC) on performance was significantly moderated by resilience.
- Higher resilience was associated with better performance, potentially by influencing appraisal of stressors.
Conclusions:
- Resilience plays a crucial role in athletic performance, acting both directly and indirectly.
- Resilient athletes may better interpret competitive stressors as facilitative rather than threatening.
- Findings highlight resilience as a key factor in optimizing performance under pressure.
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