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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
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