RELIGIOSITY AND SPIRITUALITY IN SPORTS: IMPLICATION FOR ATHLETES’ PERFORMANCE
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Date
2022-02-01
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International Journal of Christianity and Sports
Abstract
In the present world of sports, religiosity and spirituality have become a dominant parts of an athlete’s performance. Religiosity and spirituality are related but distinct; spirituality is identified as interconnectedness with a transcendent being while religiosity is the interpersonal and institutional engagement with a formal religious group, doctrines and traditions. These relationships are not only practiced for health and quality of life purposes but also becoming a practice in sports. Moreover, most athletes on the field of play showcase some forms of religious belief and behavior before, during and after a sporting contest. This paper explores religiosity and spirituality in sports and seeks to find their effects on an athlete’s performance. The concepts of religiosity/ spirituality in sports were critically reviewed. The paper also discussed the concept of an athlete’s performance. Likewise, the concept of sports was discussed. It concludes among other considerations that athletes who are very religious/ spiritual while engaging in sports, seek secular goals such as performance enhancement, coping optimally with stress and anxiety, maintaining safety, and playing at one’s best ability, being in good health physically and mentally as well as resounding successes, great laurels and victories. It is suggested among others that players, coaches, managers and sport psychologists should appropriately distinguish between upholding religious and spiritual conviction in sports and adequately preparing for sports contest towards achieving set goals during such sporting contests.
Keywords: sports, religiosity, spirituality, athletes’ performance, prayers
Description
This study explores religiosity and spirituality in sports and seeks to find their effects on an athlete’s performance
Keywords
Sports, Religiosity, Spirituality, Athletes’ performance, Prayers
Citation
Joel, K.I. (2023) Religiosity and spirituality in sports: Implication for athletes’ performance. International Journal of Christianity and Sports, 1(1), 115- 160