Managing doubts and fears in challenging situations

a study of sports psychology in combat sports

Abstract

This article analyzes the management of doubts and fears in challenging situations experienced by adolescent judo athletes, investigating how these affects are experienced, expressed, and regulated in the competitive context. The research, with a qualitative and participatory approach, was developed during the 2024 São Paulo Judo Championship, involving 186 athletes, aged between 16 and 18 years. Data were collected through a field diary produced throughout direct interaction with the athletes in training, concentration periods, and pre- and post-fight moments. The results indicate that doubts and fears emerge as central elements in the sporting experience, influencing perception of competence, performance, and decision-making. It was observed that strategies such as dialogue with coaches, social modeling, emotional self-regulation, and cognitive reinterpretation are fundamental for the adequate management of these emotions. The analysis indicates that, although fear can compromise performance, it can also function as an organizing element of action when properly managed. The study contributes to broadening the understanding of the psychological processes involved in combat sports, especially during the transition from adolescence to competitive adulthood. In the end, new questions are presented for future research, highlighting the need to understand the impacts of the competitive environment, leadership styles, and the pressures of sports socialization.