本文由生成式 AI 協作，本刊編輯編修。
Have you ever wondered how an athlete who once performed flawlessly can unexpectedly struggle with the simplest tasks? Imagine an __1__ pitcher who suddenly can’t find the strike zone—this is the “yips” in action.
This __2__ phenomenon primarily affects athletes in sports like baseball and golf. It is characterized by a sudden loss of motor skills, leading to difficulties with routine actions that were __3__ before, such as a pitcher’s throw or a golfer’s putt. For instance, American baseball pitcher Steve Blass, who had a stellar performance in the 1971 World Series, suffered a sudden inability to throw __4__ just a few years later. As a result, this condition is sometimes referred to as “Steve Blass disease.” It demonstrates how suddenly and __5__ the yips can derail an athlete’s performance.
Photo: CNA 照片：中央社
The exact cause of the yips is still not fully understood, but it is generally considered a psychological issue. It often arises from anxiety or overthinking, which can disrupt the finely-tuned motor skills that athletes rely on. Excessive __6__ on movements, which results from psychological stress, can also lead to erratic execution and performance breakdown. Neurologically, some theories suggest a connection to focal dystonia, a condition that causes uncontrollable muscle contractions that __7__ with movements. These factors create disruptions in muscle memory, turning a skill that was once automatic into a problematic one. The yips can make an athlete feel __8__ and struggle despite their best efforts.
Treatments for the yips vary and may include medication, psychological __9__, and motor imagery. Gradual exposure to stress-inducing activities also helps build confidence and ease nerves. However, despite these approaches, some athletes might still struggle to __10__ and regain their previous level of performance. The yips remain one of the most challenging hurdles in sports, illustrating the powerful connection between mental state and physical capability.
你可曾想過一位曾表現得完美無瑕的運動員，是如何出乎意料地連做出簡單至極的動作都有困難呢？想像一位身經百戰的投手突然找不到好球帶 —— 這就是「運動失憶症」在作祟。
Photo: AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
這個令人費解的現象主要影響如棒球和高爾夫球等運動的選手。其特徵為突然失去動作技能，會導致對於原本不費力的習慣動作出現困難，像是投手投球或是高爾夫球員推球。例如，在 1971 年的世界大賽上有傑出表現的美國棒球投手史提夫．布拉斯在僅僅幾年後就無法準確地投球。因此，這個疾病有時被稱作「史提夫布拉斯症」（編按：亦有譯為「投球失憶症」）。其說明了運動失憶症會如何突然且嚴重地破壞運動員的表現。
運動失憶症確切的病因尚未完全清楚，但它一般被認為是心理問題。通常是起因於焦慮及過度思考，這會阻礙運動員所依賴的準確動作技能。心理壓力所造成的過於關注於動作，可能會導致不穩定的動作執行和表現失常。神經學上來說，有些理論認為這和局部肌張力不全症有關，這個症狀導致了會干擾到動作的不可控肌肉收縮。這些因素對肌肉記憶產生了阻礙，讓曾是不自覺就可做出的技巧變得難以執行。儘管運動員已盡最大努力，但運動失憶症可能還是會讓他們感到難以承受並苦苦掙扎。
運動失憶症的治療多樣化，可能包含藥物治療、心理諮商以及運動心像。循序漸進接觸引發壓力的活動也有助於建立自信心與舒緩焦慮。然而，儘管有這些治療方法，有些運動員仍可能無法康復並恢復原先的水準。運動失憶症依然是運動中最具挑戰的障礙之一，說明了心理狀態與身體能力之間強烈的連結。
What Did You Learn?
(A) severely (B) recover (C) focus (D) counseling
(E) puzzling (F) overwhelmed (G) effortless
(H) interfere (I) experienced (J) accurately
答案：
1. I 2. E 3. G 4. J 5. A 6. C 7. H 8. F 9. D 10. B
Words in Use
1. flawlessly adv. 無瑕疵地
Ken captured the sunset flawlessly, with the colors and lighting perfectly balanced.
阿肯完美拍下夕陽，色彩和光線達到了絕佳的平衡。
2. characterize vt. 以……為特徵
be characterized by... 具有……特徵
The common cold is characterized by sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose.
一般感冒的症狀是打噴嚏、咳嗽和流鼻水。
3. inability n. 無法；沒有能力
Winnie’s problems go beyond her inability to get along with others.
溫妮的問題不只是她無法和別人相處而已。
4. psychological a. 心理（上）的
If you neglect a child, he or she will grow up with psychological problems.
如果忽略孩子，他們成長過程中可能會帶有心理問題。
5. disrupt vt. 干擾，擾亂
disruption n. 干擾；中斷
A heavy snowfall disrupted the airport’s flight schedule.
一場大雪打亂了該機場的航班行程。
The rapid spread of the disease led to a severe disruption of global trade.
這種疾病的迅速蔓延導致全球貿易嚴重停擺。
Practical Phrases
1. in action 在運作∕活動∕工作中
At the race, I saw great professional drivers in action.
在那場賽車中，我看到了不起的專業車手大展身手。
2. be referred to as... 被稱為……
Because of his temper, Mike is referred to as “the human volcano.”
麥可的脾氣暴躁，所以被稱為是座「活火山」。
3. arise from... 起因於……
= result from...
Our misunderstandings arose from a lack of communication.
我們之間的誤會起因於缺乏溝通。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
A: After attending Taiwanese baseball superstar Chen Wei-yin’s retirement ceremony in Japan, why didn’t you stay longer for some fun? B: Don’t you remember? We’re going to Blackpink member Jisoo’s fan meeting at Messe Taoyuan this Sunday. A: Oh, that’s right. She’s the second Blackpink member visiting Taiwan as a solo artist after Lisa. B: Jisoo just released her EP “Amortage” on Valentine’s Day. A: Blackpink will also release new songs and launch a world tour this summer. A: 你去日本參加台灣強投陳偉殷的引退儀式後，怎麼沒留下來玩幾天？ B: 你忘啦？我們週日還要去「桃園會展中心」參加Blackpink成員Jisoo的見面會。 A: 啊對耶，她是繼Lisa後第二位單飛訪台的Blackpink成員。 B: Jisoo不久前才在情人節，推出個人迷你專輯《Amortage》。 A: Blackpink今年夏天也會推出新歌，還會啟動世界巡演呢！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）
There were 127,350 measles cases reported in Europe and Central Asia last year, double the number of cases reported the previous year and the highest number since 1997, an analysis by the WHO and UNICEF showed. Measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico in the US are now up to more than 250 cases, and two unvaccinated people have died from measles-related causes. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that is airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines, and was considered eliminated from the US since 2000. In the US,
Imagine standing in a lush forest, surrounded by the songs of birds and the rustling of leaves, with the earthy scent of soil and trees filling the air. This is the essence of forest bathing, a natural experience that brings peace to both body and mind. Originating from the Japanese term “shinrin-yoku,” forest bathing is a simple yet healing activity. It requires no special equipment or skills, just a willingness to disconnect from the digital world and embrace nature. The key is to use all of your senses to fully engage with the forest: feeling the warmth of sunlight on your
A: Taiwan’s baseball superstar Chen Wei-yin announced his retirement, and I’m still in shock. B: Didn’t you fly to Japan last Sunday just to attend his retirement ceremony? A: Yeah, it was held by Chen’s former Japanese team, the Chunichi Dragons. I even cried at the event. B: His glorious record of 96 wins in Japanese and US professional baseball altogether is unprecedented. A: His total income of NT$3.3 billion, including a huge 2016 contract of US$80 million with the US Miami Marlins, is also unprecedented. A: 台灣棒球巨星陳偉殷宣布引退，真是令人震驚。 B: 你週日不是特別飛去日本，參加他的引退儀式嗎？ A: 對啊老東家「中日龍」為他舉行了儀式，我還感動到大哭。 B: 他創下日／美職棒總計96勝紀錄，真是史無前例。 A: 而他生涯總收入高達33億台幣，包括在2016年時，和「馬林魚」簽下8千萬美元巨約，更是無人能及！ （By Eddy
RSS