Athletic Yips Neurological Mystery

The yips are a sudden and unexplained loss of the ability to perform simple, well-practiced actions, even in elite athletes. The condition has affected players across sports, including MLB pitcher Jon Lester, who in 2014 struggled so badly with routine throws that he began running most of the way to first base before underhanding the ball. Researchers have linked the problem to a mix of performance anxiety and a neurological issue called focal dystonia, which causes involuntary muscle movements. But no single cause explains every case.

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