College athletes need to handle stressors related to the competition itself and balance academic demands with travel and increased practice time during the season. Other possible challenges are issues related to coach leadership and interpersonal relationships inside and outside the sport. Compounding the described difficulties comes lack of sleep, poor diet, and fatigue to jeopardize the athlete’s physical and mental health.
Stress management techniques can help to reduce adverse health outcomes and enhance athletic performance. One of the stress management techniques is the Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Protocol (MSPE) which can improve emotion regulation on the field and off, ultimately resulting in enhanced well-being that goes beyond any tangible sports benefit.
