American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
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American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2018, 6(3), 72-78
DOI: 10.12691/ajssm-6-3-2
Open AccessReview Article

Overview of Psychophysiological Stress and the Implications for Junior Athletes

Eon Campbell1, , Rachael Irving1, Janel Bailey1, Lowell Dilworth2 and Wendel Abel3

1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Biochemistry Section, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica

2Department of Pathology, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica

3Department of Community Health & Psychiatry, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica

Pub. Date: August 15, 2018

Cite this paper:
Eon Campbell, Rachael Irving, Janel Bailey, Lowell Dilworth and Wendel Abel. Overview of Psychophysiological Stress and the Implications for Junior Athletes. American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2018; 6(3):72-78. doi: 10.12691/ajssm-6-3-2

Abstract

Psychophysiological stress appears to be a significant parameter in youth competitive sport participation. Primarily because adolescent athletes are faced with the extreme pressurized scenarios, youth competitive sport offers. Numerous youth sport performers have not learned adaptive coping skills to ameliorate the effects of an inherently stressful environment. This oftentimes results in the elicitation of stress responses, which when prolonged cause an overproduction of hormones which can have severe negative psychological and physiological implications. The implications include a disruption of metabolism and cognitive functioning, as well as cell production in the immune system which may influence the course of chronic diseases and disorders. A detailed understanding of the molecular and genetic events underlying the association of stressors with the psychophysiological pathways is crucial for the design of psychological interventions tailored specifically for athletes so as to improve well-being and performance.

Keywords:
psychophysiological stress youth competitive sports athletes stress responses hormones

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