New directions in the psychology of optimal performance in sport: flow and clutch states.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review and theoretical framework without systematic methodology or primary human data.
PubMed 28813354 · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.03.032
What was done
This narrative review synthesizes recent literature on the psychology of optimal athletic performance. It evaluates Csikszentmihalyi's flow framework alongside an emerging 'clutch' state and discusses how goal types (open versus fixed) influence the experience of these two states.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data, effect sizes, or statistical results. It proposes a conceptual model wherein optimal sport performance is underpinned by two distinct, overlapping psychological states (flow and clutch) and argues that open and fixed goals differentially facilitate them.
Why it matters
It expands traditional single-state sport psychology models by differentiating effortless immersion (flow) from performance under acute pressure (clutch), providing conceptual direction for future measurement.
Limits
The abstract describes a narrative overview rather than a systematic review. It provides no empirical sample sizes, inclusion criteria, or quantitative findings.
Cited by
- supports Sports psychology literature identifies clutch states alongside flow states as high-performance states, characterized by peak performance achieved through deliberate effort, intense focus, and high arousal under pressure rather than effortless execution.