Can Hypnosis Improve Athletic Performance?
Can hypnosis help athletes perform better, manage pressure and recover from injury?
A 2025 systematic review published in the International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology explored exactly that question.
Researchers examined the available scientific evidence on therapeutic hypnosis and its potential benefits for athletes, reviewing studies published up to October 2024.
Of 613 research papers initially identified, 13 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the final review.
The researchers reported statistically significant associations between therapeutic hypnosis and three important areas:
Athletic performance: Improvements in sporting performance outcomes.
Psychological wellbeing: Reductions in psychological distress associated with participating in sport.
Injury recovery: Positive findings relating to recovery from sporting injuries.
These findings are encouraging, particularly because they suggest hypnosis may have applications beyond relaxation alone.
However, the researchers also identified important limitations. Most studies lacked a control group, and the overall methodological quality was rated as fair. Consequently, the review could not establish with confidence that hypnosis itself caused the reported improvements.
The authors recommended larger, more rigorous randomised trials to better understand its effectiveness.
Why This Matters to RKPP
At Russell Knox Peak Performance, I work with athletes to develop the mental skills that support consistent performance, particularly when pressure, fatigue or self-doubt begin to interfere.
One of the principles behind my approach is that performance is not determined by physical preparation alone. How an athlete thinks, feels and responds under pressure can also influence their ability to execute.
This research is particularly relevant because it examines the use of hypnosis in the sporting environment itself.
Through the RKPP PEAK Method, I integrate hypnosis with mental rehearsal, performance cues, cognitive strategies and practical reset techniques.
My approach focuses on helping athletes:
Reduce unhelpful overthinking and performance anxiety.
Strengthen confidence and trust in their preparation.
Mentally rehearse successful execution.
Develop more effective responses to mistakes, pressure and fatigue.
Reinforce helpful mental patterns through personalised recordings and repetition.
The review provides preliminary scientific support for investigating hypnosis as part of an athlete's psychological preparation.
Importantly, hypnosis is not a replacement for physical training, technical coaching or appropriate medical rehabilitation. I see it as a complementary tool within a broader performance development approach.
My Takeaway
What I find most interesting about this research is that it examines outcomes that matter to athletes: performance, psychological wellbeing and recovery.
The findings are promising, although the evidence is not yet strong enough to make definitive claims about how much hypnosis improves performance or which techniques work best.
For me, this reinforces the value of developing mental skills deliberately, rather than leaving confidence, composure and focus to chance.
At RKPP, hypnosis is one component of a structured approach designed to help athletes build and practise more effective mental responses.
The goal isn't simply to feel more confident. It's to develop the mental skills that help you access your physical abilities when they matter most.
Original Research
Therapeutic Hypnosis and Sports Performance: A Systematic Review (2025).
International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 19(3), 540–560.
This article reflects RKPP's interpretation of published scientific research and its relevance to practical mental performance training. The findings should be considered in the context of the methodological limitations identified by the researchers.
