Pre-start fever
Pre-start fever is a state of excessive nervous arousal before a competition, in which the athlete burns out before the start and loses control of themselves.
Definition
The classification of pre-start states (A. Ts. Puni) distinguishes three variants: competitive readiness, pre-start apathy and pre-start fever. Fever is over-arousal, where the level of activation goes off the scale and out of the useful range. Under the Yerkes-Dodson law, arousal that is too high damages performance just as much as arousal that is too low.
How it shows up in sport
The athlete is visibly shaking: fidgeting, trembling, a racing pulse, jumping thoughts, a short temper and an inability to concentrate. Because of it they can't get themselves together at competitions, and pre-competition anxiety itself reaches its peak. The energy is spent for nothing before the start, leaving none for the performance.
Related tests
Pre-start state and state anxiety questionnaires in the tests section help identify a tendency toward over-arousal. Filling them in before several competitions shows which way — fever or apathy — your arousal usually drifts. It is useful to go through the results with a specialist.
Exercises
Fever calls for calming, arousal-lowering techniques: a lengthened exhale, progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training and slowing down your pre-start ritual. Specific practices are gathered in the exercises section. The aim is to bring arousal down to a state of competitive readiness.
Related terms and issues
Pre-start fever is the extreme point of state anxiety and an excessive form of eustress. Its optimal opposite is a state of competitive readiness. It stops you getting yourself together at competitions.
FAQ
How is pre-start fever different from competitive readiness?
Competitive readiness is the optimal level of mobilization, in which the athlete is composed and confident. Fever is the overshoot: arousal so high that it destroys concentration and coordination.
What do I do right before the start if I have pre-start fever?
Slow down: take a few breaths with a long exhale, release your shoulders and jaw, narrow your attention to one simple task. Calming techniques need to be rehearsed in training beforehand.
Related topics
See also
When you need a personal review
If the challenge recurs, affects results, or causes strong tension for the athlete, it is better to discuss it with a specialist. Sports Talk helps you find a psychologist and a format that fits the sport, age and upcoming calendar.