East African running dominance revisited: a role for stereotype threat?

Br J Sports Med. 2003 Dec;37(6):553-5. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.37.6.553.

Abstract

Regardless of the possible existence of physiological advantages in East African runners, belief that such differences exist creates a psychological atmosphere that can have significant consequences on performance. This is known as stereotype threat and can feature in many sports.

MeSH terms

  • Africa, Eastern
  • Anxiety
  • Black People*
  • Competitive Behavior
  • Humans
  • Running / physiology*
  • Running / psychology*
  • Stereotyping*