Manifestaciones de la presión social que tienen los jugadores de rugby seven en Bogotá.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to identify the manifestations of social pressure among university rugby sevens players in Bogotá, analyzing its impact on athletic performance, mental health, and coping strategies. A qualitative and exploratory approach was used through semi-structured interviews and focus groups with active university players. Results showed that social pressure mainly stems from external expectations (coaches, teammates, relatives, and spectators) and internal self-demand. These pressures are expressed through emotions such as precompetitive anxiety, fear of failure, stress, and mental exhaustion, which affect concentration and emotional stability. Nevertheless, team cohesion and social support were identified as protective factors, along with emotion- and cognition-focused coping strategies such as breathing, visualization, and positive self-talk. It is concluded that social pressure, although inherent to competitive sports, can be adaptively managed through psychological guidance and emotional training, promoting both athletic performance and psychological resilience in university players.