Stress and Coping

Stress is the response that follows when an athlete judges the demands on them to exceed their resources to cope, and coping is what they do to manage it.

It matters in sport and exercise medicine (SEM) because stress is associated with a higher risk of injury and illness, poorer recovery and disturbed sleep, and it can tip into burnout or a mental health disorder.

The SEM clinician meets it constantly: the injured athlete facing a long rehabilitation, the competitor struggling with expectation, the patient whose recurrent problems have a psychological thread. Recognising stress, knowing the practical coping strategies and knowing when to refer are everyday skills.