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The Why Factor: Why do Top Sportsmen and Women Choke?

Why Factor Choking

17/07/2015

Why do Top Sportsmen and Women Choke?

BBC World Service - The Why Factor, Why do Top Sportsmen and Women Choke?

Why do we lose the ability to do routine tasks under pressure?

The journalist, author and Olympian Matthew Syed blew it big time at the Sydney 2000 games. Despite a GB medal prospect in table tennis, he was thrashed by an opponent he had beaten many times before. He choked. Ever since, he has been keen to understand why sometimes the brain robs an individual of the ability to do routine tasks - in his case to hit a ping pong ball on the table. 

You do not have to be a world class sportsman to choke. Think of that job interview you fluffed or that wildly attractive person at a party that left you unable to do what you do every day - speak coherently.

Matthew explores the neurological and psychological trajectory of a choke. People from the worlds of  sport, business and entertainment all feature in this examination of when we fail to do what comes naturally to us.

(Photo: A man loses at a table tennis match. Credit: Shutterstock)

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