What effect does moderate stress have on athletic performance?

Moderate stress can enhance athletic performance due to a phenomenon known as the Yerkes-Dodson Law, which suggests an optimal level of arousal or stress can improve an individual's performance on tasks, including athletic endeavors. When athletes experience moderate levels of stress, it can lead to increased focus, motivation, and energy. This heightened state can assist in honing skills, improving alertness, and fostering a competitive edge.

The right amount of stress can push athletes to perform better than they would in a low-stress or overly relaxed state, as it often activates necessary physiological responses that can facilitate optimal performance levels. This principle underlines the importance of not avoiding stress altogether but rather managing it to harness the benefits that moderate stress can bring to athletic performance.