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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThe yips may result from neurological factors, psychological factors or a combination of both.
Neurological factors
In some people, the yips are a type of focal dystonia, a condition that causes involuntary muscle contractions during a specific task. It's most likely related to overuse of a certain set of muscles, similar to writer's cramp. Anxiety worsens the effect.
Psychological factors
In a pressure situation, some athletes become so anxious and self-focused — over-thinking to the point of distraction — that their ability to execute a skill, like putting, is impaired. Choking is an extreme form of performance anxiety that may compromise a golfer's game.
A combination of factors
For some people who have a mild degree of focal dystonia, stress, anxiety or high-pressure situations can worsen the condition.
- Adler CH. Sports-related task-specific dystonia: The yips. In: Stacy MA. Handbook of Dystonia. New York, N.Y.: Informa Healthcare; 2007:209.
- Kartha N. Dystonia. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine. 2006;22:899.
- Olanow CW. Hyperkinetic movement disorders. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2906012. Accessed March 31, 2011.
- Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 31, 2011.
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