Elevating Performance with Shannon Jackson: The Power of Subjective Wellness Questionnaires for Elite Athletes

Georgia Tech Women's Basketball

In the high-stakes world of collegiate athletics, understanding an athlete's holistic well-being goes far beyond physical performance metrics. Subjective wellness questionnaires have emerged as a powerful tool, offering coaches and sports performance professionals an intimate window into an athlete's mental and physical state. These simple yet profound self-report measures capture critical insights across key wellness constructs like fatigue, sleep quality, mood, stress, and muscle soreness, transforming how we approach athlete monitoring and support.

We sat down with Coach Shannon Jackson from Georgia Tech Women's basketball to ask some questions surrounding how she uses Subjective Wellness Questionnaires to help her team perform at a higher level - Coach Jackson currently uses the GPS DataViz Mobile application to deliver the wellness survey to her athletes.

GPS DataViz - How has the wellness survey improved your understanding of your athletes' mental and physical states?

SJ - I appreciate the fact that I now have a comprehensive view of each athlete’s physical and mental wellbeing. Myself and our athletic trainer are able to identify early signs of fatigue, burnout, or injury. Tracking factors like mood, stress, fatigue, and sleep quality, it allows for personalized care and adjustments to their training or recovery plans.

In what ways has the survey data helped you tailor your training programs or practice schedules?

The data has been instrumental in tailoring training programs and practice loads by providing insight for key player’s current physical and mental state. For instance, an athlete that has reported high levels of fatigue or soreness, the athletic trainer has requested we monitor practice reps and training volume to prevent overtraining and reduce the risk of injury. Similarly, if mental stress or anxiety has been indicated, we have utilized our sport psychology department to provide individual attention.

What improvements in team communication have you noticed since implementing the wellness survey?

Since implementing the wellness survey, communication within the team has improved significantly. Our athletes have been more comfortable sharing their physical and mental state, knowing their responses are confidential and monitored regularly by myself and our athletic trainer. This has fostered a more open dialogue about issues like fatigue, stress, or injury especially for our athletes that are uncomfortable speaking up. We are now able to address concerns proactively, leading to more personalized support. Additionally, the survey has created a culture of mutual trust, self-awareness, and accountability.

Can you provide an example of how the survey results helped you identify and address a potential issue with an athlete before it became serious?

Atlanta is a bustling city known for its busy streets and loud city noises. An example of using survey results to address potential sleep issues involved majority of our team consistently reporting low sleep quality and increased fatigue in their wellness surveys. Recognizing this pattern early, we initiated outreach to our sport psychology department and nutritionist to understand contributing factors, such as stress, schedule misalignment, bedtime routines, and late-night eating habits. Based on their feedback, we provided education on sleep hygiene, and introduced relaxation techniques like mindfulness exercises. Within weeks, the athletes reported improved sleep and energy levels, preventing a decline in performance and overall well-being.

How has the wellness survey data influenced your approach to athlete recovery and injury mitigation?

The wellness survey data has significantly influenced my approach to athlete recovery and injury mitigation by providing real-time insights into our athlete’s physical and mental state. When athletes report high fatigue, soreness, or stress, I can adjust their recovery protocols accordingly, ensuring they get the rest and support they need. The survey also helps monitor signs of overtraining, such as persistent fatigue or poor sleep, which I consider early indicators of potential injury. By tracking these trends, I prioritize active recovery and focus on injury prevention strategies utilizing various recovery modalities. We educate our athletes on the importance of being proactive versus reactive.

What unexpected insights about your team have you gained from the survey responses?

The survey responses have revealed several unexpected insights about the team, particularly in terms of mental health and stress management. Specifically, I was surprised to learn that some athletes who appeared physically strong on the outside were struggling with anxiety, which they hadn’t openly discussed before. This highlighted the importance of mental wellness as much as physical fitness. Additionally, I discovered that some athletes experienced high levels of stress or burnout even when they weren’t pushing themselves too hard in training. Being that Georgia Tech is a high-academic institution, this pointed to external factors such as academic pressure or personal issues. These insights have shifted the way we approach overall well-being, leading to more holistic support by our Sport Performance Care Pod Team.

What trends or patterns in athlete well-being has the survey helped you identify throughout the season?

The survey has been key in spotting trends in athlete well-being throughout the season. For example, fatigue and poor sleep often spike during intense training or competition, leading to higher stress and slower recovery. \ These insights help us adjust training, schedule recovery, and offer support, keeping athletes performing at their best while avoiding burnout and injuries.

How has the wellness survey impacted your ability to support your athletes' academic performance?

The wellness survey has been a great tool for supporting Georgia Tech student-athletes academically. It helps me see how their physical and mental well-being impacts their focus, energy, and stress outside of training. For instance, during high-stress times like finals, I can adjust training schedules to give them more time to recover and stay balanced, while ensuring that we are hitting our training goals. The survey also helps identify when athletes might need extra support, whether that’s connecting with academic advisors or mental health resources. Overall, it’s helped create a more balanced approach, allowing our team to excel both on the court and in the classroom.

In what ways has the survey data helped you create a more positive team culture?

Survey data has been invaluable in creating a more positive team culture. With the trust of our head coach, myself and the athletic trainer are solely responsible for viewing the surveys and utilizing the data to develop informed action plans. It helps us identify what’s working well and where we need to improve, fostering a sense of openness and trust within the team. The regularity of the surveys also allows us to track our progress, ensuring we’re always moving forward together. Ultimately, these efforts have helped us create a culture where trust, responsiveness, and collaboration thrive.

What changes in athlete performance can you attribute to insights gained from the wellness survey?

Insights from the wellness survey have enhanced athlete performance by optimizing recovery, preventing injuries, and addressing mental health or stress issues, leading to better focus and decision-making. By tailoring training to individual needs and managing workload, athletes are achieving peak performance without overtraining.

Understanding an athlete's subjective well-being is not just a wellness strategy—it's a competitive edge. By recognizing that mental and emotional health are as critical as physical training, elite athletic programs can unlock unprecedented levels of human potential, transforming good athletes into extraordinary champions.