Too much self-control could hinder performance in athletes, research says

For the research, the sports scientists followed 13 male hockey players who took part in a series of cognitive function tests requiring self-control, which involved resisting their automatic responses. Picture: Scott Heavey/PA

Exercising too much self-control may be counter productive and could hinder performance in athletes and sports people, research suggests.

UK scientists have found that hockey players who strived to exert more self-control – by trying to control their behaviours, emotions and desires to pursue their goals – saw a drop in performance in their dribbling, passing and shooting skills.