What is the primary purpose of progressive muscular relaxation in sport psychology?

• A. By making athlete aware of physical state
• B. Increase sprint speed
• C. Improve VO2 max
• D. Enhance balance

Answer: (C)

Progressive muscular relaxation focuses on reducing arousal and muscle tension by guiding the athlete through tensing and then releasing each muscle group. The key idea is to help the performer become aware of bodily sensations and how tension feels, so they can recognize when they are becoming tense and actively relax to regain calm and focus. This awareness of the body and the ability to regulate it under pressure is the core benefit for sport psychology. It does not directly increase VO2 max, sprint speed, or balance, which come from conditioning, technique, and specific training. So the most fitting choice is that it makes the athlete aware of their physical state.