The Unexplained Underperformance Syndrome (UPS) is characterized by a continued decrement in athletic performance, unresolved by two weeks rest (Robson, 2003). This study qualitatively examined psychological factors of potential relevance to UPS, with specific consideration of the consequences of a mentally tough attitude in the interpretation of fatigue Seven elite athletes, clinically diagnosed with UPS or Chronic Fatigue, participated in one-to-one interviews to examine their experience of UPS The results of this study revealed a paradoxical relationship between mental toughness and UPS. Specifically, a mentally tough attitude, deemed desirable in competitive sport, obviated physiological markers of fatigue Furthermore, the results indicated that non-training related stressors appeared to have a pivotal influence on the onset of UPS.
RobsonC.R., Elucidating the Unexplained Underperformance Syndrome in Endurance Athletes. The Interleukin-6 Hypothesis, Journal of Sports Medicine, 2003, 33, 771–781.
2.
NoakesT.D., The Lore of Running, 4th edn, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 2003.
3.
BudgettR.NewsholmeE.LehmnannM.SharpN.C.C.JonesD.PetoT., Redefining the Overtraining Syndrome as Unexplained Underperformance Syndrome, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2000, 34, 67–68.
4.
BudgettR., Fatigue and Underperformance in Athletes: The Overtraining Syndrome, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 1998, 32, 107–110.
5.
MeehanH.L.BullS.J.WoodDM.JamesD.V.B., The Overtraining Syndrome: A Multicontextual Assessment, The Sport Psychologist, 2004, 18 (2), 154–171.
6.
MeyersA.WhelanJ., A Multisystematic Model for Understanding Psychosocial Influences in Overtraining, in: KriederR.FryA.C.O'TooleM. L.M.L. eds, Overtraining in Sport, (pp. 335–369), Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1998, 335–369.
7.
SmithL.L., Cytokine Hypothesis of Overtraining: A Physiological Adaptation to Excessive Stress?Medicine of Science & Sport & Exercise, 2000, 32, 317–331.
8.
BellI.R., White Paper: Neuropsychiatric Aspects of Sensitivity to Low-Level Chemicals: A Neural Sensitisation Model, Toxicology & Industrial Health, 1994, 10, 277–312.
9.
GibsonA.S.GroblerLA.CollinsM.LambertM.I.SharwoodK.DermanE.W.NoakesT.D., Evaluation of Maximal Exercise Performance, Fatigue and Depression in Athletes with Acquired Chronic Training Intolerance, Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 2006, 16, 39–45.
10.
RaglinJ.S., Overtraining and Staleness: Psychometric Monitoring of Endurance Athletes, in: SingerR.N.MurphyM.TennantK.L. eds, Handbook of Research on Sport Psychology, McMillan, New York, 1993, 840–850.
11.
WilsonE.O., Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge, Knopf, New York, 1998.
12.
DienstbierR.A.ZilligL.M., Toughness, in: SnyderC.R.LopezS.J. (Eds.), Handbook of Positive Psychology, Oxford University, New York, 2002, 515–527.
13.
WaitzG.AverbuchG., Grete Waitz – World Class, Warner, New York, 1986.
14.
GouldD.HodgeK.PetersonK.PetlichkoffL., Psychological Foundations of Coaching: Similarities and Differences Among Intercollegiate Wrestling Coaches, The Sport Psychologist, 1987, 1, 293–308.
15.
GoldbergA.S., Sport Slump Busting: 10 Steps to Mental Toughness and Peak Performance, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1998.
16.
JonesG.HantonS.ConnaughtonD., What is This Thing Called Mental Toughness? An Investigation of Elite Sport Performers, Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2002, 14, 205–218.
17.
DeciE.L.RyanR.M., Intrinsic Motivation and Self Determination in Human Behaviour, Plenum Press, New York, 1985.
18.
DeciE.L.RyanR.M., Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being, American Psychologist, 2000, 55, 68–78.
19.
GibsonA., Mental Toughness. Vantage Press, New York, 1998.
20.
RushallB.S., The Pre-Competition Psychological Checklist, in: ValeroiteT. ed, Level Three National Coaching Certification Programme Supplement, Coaching Association of Canada, Ottawa, 1981.
21.
CsikszentmihalyiM., Flow: The Classic Work on How to Achieve Happiness, Rider, London, 2002.
22.
BanduraA., Social Cognitive Theory: An Agentic Perspective, Annual Review of Psychology, 2001, 52, 1–26.
23.
ThomasP.R.MurphyS.M.HardyL., Test of Performance Strategies: Development and Preliminary Validation of a Comprehensive Measure of Athlete's Psychological Skills, Journal of Sports Sciences, 1999, 17, 697–711.
24.
SingerR.N., Pre-performance State, Routines, and Automaticity: What Does it Take to Realize Expertise in Self-Paced Events?, Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2002, 24, 359–375.
25.
PattonM.Q., Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, 2002.
26.
PotracP.JonesR.ArmourK., ‘It's All About Getting Respect’: The Coaching Behaviors of an Expert English Soccer Coach, Sport, Education and Society, 2002, 7, 183–202.
27.
RoseJ.JevaneR.F.J., Psychosocial Processes Associated With Athletic Injuries, The Sport Psychologist, 1993, 7, 309–328.
28.
TraceyJ., The Emotional Response to the Injury and Rehabilitation process. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2003, 15, 279–293.
29.
KvaleS., Interviews, Sage, London, 1996.
30.
EdwardsT.KingstonK.HardyL.GouldD., A Qualitative Analysis of Performances and the Associated Thoughts, Feelings and Emotions, The Sport Psychologist, 2002, 16, 1–19.
31.
SparkesA.C., Telling Tales in Sport and Physical Activity: A Qualitative Journey, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 2002.
32.
BiddleS.J.H.MarklandD.GilbourneD., Chatzisarantis, N.L.D. & Sparkes, A.C., Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Psychology: Quantitative and Qualitative Issues, Journal of Sports Sciences, 2001, 19, 777–809.
33.
GeertzC., Local Knowledge: Further Essays in Interpretative Anthropology, Basic Books, New York, 1983.
34.
AzjenI., Nature and Operation of Attitudes, Annual Review of Psychology, 2001, 52, 27–58.
35.
YoungK.WhiteP.McAteerW., Body Talk: Male Athletes Reflect on Sport, Injury and Pain, Sociology of Sport Journal, 1994, 11, 75–194.
36.
MillerP.S.KerrG.A., Conceptualising Excellence, Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2002, 14, 140–153.
37.
TenenbaumG.JonesC.M.KitsantisA.SacksD.N.BerwickJ.P., Psychological Conceptualisation of the Stress Response Process in Sport, International Journal of Sport Psychology, 2003, 34, 1–26.
38.
TenenbaumG.JonesCM.KitsantisA.SacksD.N.BerwickJ.P., Failure Adaptation: An Investigation of the Stress Response Process in Sport, International Journal of Sport Psychology, 2003, 34, 27–62.
39.
CarmackM.A.MartensR., Measuring Commitment to Running: A Survey of Runners Attitudes and Mental State, Journal of Sport Psychology, 1979, 1, 25–42.
40.
CrossmanJ.JamiesonJ.HendersonL., Responses of Competitive Athletes to Lay-offs in Training: Exercise Addiction or Psychological Relief, Journal of Sport Behaviour, 1987, 10, 28–38.
41.
American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edn, American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC., 1994.
42.
ButlerR.J.HardyL., The Performance Profile: Theory and Application. The Sport Psychologist, 1992, 6, 253–264.
43.
KellyG.A., The Psychology of Personal Constructs. Norton, New York, 1955.
