ABSTRACT
The study aimed to evaluate the influence of Stress on the Sport Performance of Track and Field athletes in the University of Benin. A total of 100 respondents, consisting of 69 males and 31 females, from 7 dif erent sports participated in the study. A questionnaire developed by the researcher was used to collect data, which was analysed using simple count, frequency percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The study examined athletes' stress levels and their impact on performance, revealing a range of stress levels among athletes, with most experiencing moderate to high stress. Stress was found to negatively af ect focus, concentration, and recovery, although there was disagreement on its impact on emotion control during competition. Various sources of athlete stress were identified, including academic pressure, financial pressure, injury, and competitions, with uncertainty regarding the role of relationship pressure. Participants generally agreed on ef ective stress reduction strategies, including relaxation techniques, therapy, sleep, and a healthy diet. Gender dif erences in athlete stress were inconclusive, with no substantial distinction between male and female track and field athletes in terms of stress levels. This study highlights the significant variability in athletes' stress levels, their sources of stress, and ef ective strategies for stress reduction. The consensus on the negative impact of stress on athlete performance underscores the importance of addressing stress in sports. Additionally, the finding that gender does not play a significant role in athlete stress levels suggests that stress management programs should be tailored to individual athlete needs rather than being gender-specific.
