Journal article
Performance Under Pressure in Sport: A Position Statement from Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
Sports medicine, Vol.First online, pp.1-17
10/06/2026
PMID: 42271117
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Supporting performance under pressure is important to many roles in the sporting sector, including Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Accredited Sport Scientists and Accredited High Performance Managers. This position statement on behalf of ESSA aims to support practitioners whose responsibilities include facilitating athletes' performance under pressure. To achieve this aim, we synthesised relevant systematic reviews, and theoretical and empirical publications, regarding supporting performance under pressure in sport. Specifically, we focused on translating the scientific literature regarding the different sources of pressure athletes may experience, how athletes may respond to this pressure, the different strategies that may be used to support performance under pressure and considerations for how performance under pressure may be evaluated. This position statement highlights that pressure can have both facilitative and debilitative effects on athlete performance. Training environments offering implicit learning opportunities and effective utilisation of pressure training can prepare athletes for performing well under pressure. A range of evidence-based psychological strategies can be utilised when performing under pressure, including: (1) pre-performance routines, (2) implicit attentional strategies, (3) psychological skills training and (4) mindfulness-based approaches. Suggestions are provided for how to appropriately select and implement different strategies depending on sport type or context. Drawing on a systems-led approach, performance teams can collectively work together to support athlete performance under pressure in an integrated manner. This position statement concludes with eight overarching recommendations to support performance under pressure. These recommendations are contextually specific to key stakeholder groups, such as the organisation, performance team members and sports researchers.
Details
- Title
- Performance Under Pressure in Sport: A Position Statement from Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
- Creators
- Matthew J Schweickle - University of WollongongRenee N Appaneal - Prepare and Perform (Australia, ACT)Patricia C Jackman - University of LincolnClare L Minahan - Griffith UniversityGene M Moyle - Queensland University of TechnologyCraig Pickering - Australian Athletics (Australia)Damien Stewart - Room23 Psychology (Australia)Stewart A Vella - University of WollongongChristian Swann - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Sports medicine, Vol.First online, pp.1-17
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Grant note
- Open Access funding enabled and organized by CAUL and its Member Institutions. No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript.
- Identifiers
- 991013385949902368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2026.
- Academic Unit
- Human Sciences; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article