Have you ever noticed that when an athlete introduces themselves to someone new, they say their name and their sport in the same breath? Athletic identity is when an individual identifies with their athlete role. That sounds simple, healthy and innocuous, and a strong athletic identity actually has many positive consequences, including the tendency to perform better in their sport, their likelihood to engage in additional exercise, and the greater commitment to their training.
However, while there are several positive elements associated with a strong athletic identity, there are also a myriad of negative consequences. A strong athletic identity can be associated with burn out, emotional disturbances, identity foreclosure, mental health issues, and psychiatric distress. In addition to the consequences that are linked to a strong athletic identity, athletes must make numerous sacrifices during their pursuit of excellence and commitment to their sport. Young athletes often hear that they need to make sacrifices; they are supposed to sacrifice themselves and their bodies, make sacrifices to improve themselves, and sacrifice for their team. Athletes are encouraged to train to the point of exhaustion, play through, or in spite of, injury, and dedicate all of their time to bettering themselves for their team. Athletes sometimes dedicate themselves to their sport to the point of letting it interfere with their social lives, their education, and time spent with family and friends, all so they can be considered a “real athlete”.
The sport ethic is actually a compilation of four criteria that many use to define what it is to be a ‘real athlete. According to the literature, being a real athlete involves making sacrifices for the game, striving for distinction, accepting risks and playing through pain, and refusing to accept limits in the pursuit of possibilities. If an athlete over-adheres to these principles, it could be detrimental to their overall health and well-being.
All of this sounds very bad, but it is possible to craft a healthy athletic identity. In order to develop a healthy athletic identity, athletes should be encouraged to explore other activities and interests outside of their sport; they should build strong relationships with family and friends to ensure they have a solid social support network; and they should engage in mental performance training focused on Mental Skill Training, which provides practical techniques to enhance focus, confidence, and resilience both in sport and in life. Conversations surrounding constructing a healthy athletic identity should begin early in an athlete’s career so that they can build a balanced identity as they grow and develop. They should be made aware of both the benefits and the risks of a strong athletic identity early so that they can make informed decisions. Additionally, the benefits and risks should be reiterated at key transition points in an athlete’s career. This includes if the athlete transitions from non-competitive to a rep/travel league; transition from high school to collegiate or professional levels; and when the athlete is ready to retire and transition away from their sport. The bottom line is that it’s okay to identify as an athlete and be proud of your sport, but athletes must ensure that it doesn’t come at the detriment of their safety and overall well-being.
If you’re ready to elevate your mindset and reach your full potential, begin your journey with personalized support through our mental performance services.
