Talking to yourself before a sprint, lift, or game actually helps

The claim. Saying something to yourself before an effort — out loud or in your head — is linked to better performance, and what you say seems to matter more than whether anyone hears it.

The study. An updated review pooled 33 trials with more than 1,800 participants and found self-talk reliably associated with better sports performance. The content of the self-talk made the biggest difference, and the pattern held across skill levels — you don't need to be a competitive athlete for it to be worth trying.

What to try. Before your next hard effort — a sprint, a lift, a match — say one short, specific phrase to yourself. Specific beats generic: "drive through the ball," not "do well."

The caveat. This is performance psychology, not a treatment, and the outcome measured is mostly the participants' own task results, not a clinical endpoint. The effect is repeatable in studies; it is not a substitute for training.

Source. Psychreg, Self-talk improves sports performance, updated review of trials finds (October 2026): https://www.psychreg.org/self-talk-improves-sports-performance-updated-review-trials-finds/