Anxiolytics can be a temporary help for athletes facing crippling anxiety, but they are not a long-term solution to improving performance.
- Anxiolytics may appear as a solution to combat the stress linked to the search for performance.
- But they can impair motor coordination, alertness and the ability to concentrate.
- Relaxation, meditation and breathing are exercises more beneficial to performance than anxiolytics.
Anxiolytics are generally prescribed to soothe anxiety disorders. Although they can reduce mental tension, their use in the sporting context requires an understanding of their effects on the body and mind, and above all medical monitoring.
Anxiolytics to reduce stress before competitions
For many athletes, symptoms before a competition are intense. The racing heart, the knot in the stomach and the fear of failure can disrupt their concentration and motivation. Anxiolytics may then seem like a solution to alleviate these symptoms and stay calmer. However, although these medications may reduce anxiety, they do not improve performance. Their main effect is to reduce activation of the nervous system, which, in some cases, can reduce alertness or reflexes. In sports where concentration and speed of reaction are crucial, such an effect even becomes a disadvantage.
The impact of anxiolytics on concentration and coordination
By slowing brain activity, anxiolytics can also impair motor coordination, alertness and the ability to concentrate. For an athlete, these effects can prove problematic and even endanger their safety. Another important side effect to consider is the risk of dependence, particularly with benzodiazepines. Taking this type of medication could develop the belief that they are the only solution to cope with pressure, and ultimately pose problems for autonomy and self-confidence. This is why it is crucial to discuss it with a doctor before resorting to these medications.
Prioritize support and stress management
Rather than turning to anxiolytics, other methods of stress management have demonstrated their effectiveness in improving sports performance. Relaxation, meditation and breathing techniques help to better manage rising anxiety without unwanted side effects. Coaches, teammates and loved ones play a key role in creating an environment that
values support and communication. By adopting a caring approach and using appropriate stress management techniques, it is possible to do without anxiolytics while improving your resilience and self-confidence.
Find out more: Mental preparation in sport by Marc Dugenie.
