The ‘yips’ in division i collegiate sports: prevalence, conditions, and factors

The yips is a sudden involuntary, abnormal body movement that affects an athlete’s performance with twitches or feelings of temporary paralysis of the body. The condition has been studied from both a neurological and psychological aspect, but the cause of the yips has yet to be found. Research has mostly focused on golf but there is also limited data from other sports. The aim of the present study was to find the prevalence of the yips in Division I collegiate sports. Another aim was to discover conditions and common factors associated with development of the yips. A survey including questions about prevalence, conditions, and factors associated with the yips was created and completed by 242 Division I collegiate student-athletes. It was found that 13.2% of participants have experienced the yips in their athletic career. Female athletes were more prone to the yips compared to male athletes, and the female athletes with the yips reported more pressure from their coach compared to male athletes. Also, 81.3% of participants reported the yips experience in their upper extremities. The results provide a better understanding of the yips across a variety of sports. Further research about the yips within female athletes and sport movements that predominantly involve upper extremities is needed to learn more about the yips experience and eventually develop a diagnostic tool. Education of athletic personnel regarding the yips is also recommended to properly recognize and manage the condition.