AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS UNDERLYING “THE YIPS” IN BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL PLAYERS
Author
FORD, TAYLOR ALEXANDRAIssue Date
2021Advisor
Nighorn, Alan
Metadata
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The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
The “Yips” is the sudden and unexplained loss of a previously automatic motor skill that can arise in a variety of experienced athletes and musicians. Although this condition is relatively unheard of amongst the general population, it is a taboo subject in the realm of sports. After playing competitive softball for over seven years, I myself experienced the Yips and lost my ability to accurately throw to a target. To this day, I still remain unable to throw a ball. Regardless of the fact that there are still unknowns related to the underpinnings of the Yips, researchers have classified it as existing on a continuum. One end of this continuum defines the origin of the Yips as physiological (Type I) and classifies the phenomenon as a subtype of focal dystonia. The opposite end, however, describes the Yips as having more psychological foundations (Type II). Type III Yips is in the middle of this spectrum and can best be defined as a combination of both physiological and psychological factors that are believed to contribute to the onset of the Yips. Although the Yips experience is different for every athlete and musician, there is evidence of some conserved structural elements. By directly comparing my Yips symptoms with other athletes’ experiences, the conserved physiological and psychological aspects become evident. Furthermore, these elements are the target of many promising research efforts to discover successful methods for treating those who are suffering from various forms of the Yips.Type
Electronic thesistext
Degree Name
B.S.Degree Level
bachelorsDegree Program
Neuroscience and Cognitive ScienceHonors College