Pain tolerance in sport

Pain is an inseparable element of the sports experience, regardless of the chosen discipline. The saying “no pain, no gain” perfectly describes the risk of an injury in sport as well as the expectations of high tolerance of pain. Sociologists note the connection between sport norms and values and the pain and behaviours related to an injury. While competing an athlete is under pressure of the coach, activists and supporters who expect him or her to continue and perform despite pain. However, pain in sport is not always a negative factor as it also plays an informative role indicating physical limitations of the body. It is especially relevant when the body is at risk of an injury or when an athlete puts in maximum effort required during competitions. The authors present the phenomenon of experiencing pain related to sport at the highest level, competitors’ coping strategies, as well as selected mental techniques used by athletes to increase their tolerance of pain.