Scientists are trying to find a cure for a ‘psychological’ condition that affects dart players’ ability to throw an arrow… apparently it affects all players from amateur to professional
Eggheads are battling to hit a cure for darts’ players who can’t throw darts. The boffs want to get to the bottom of a condition known as “dartitis”, which is when the brain stops a player from being able to chuck an arrow.
They say it’s “purely psychological” and it affects all players, whether they are professional or amateur. Sufferers say it’s “demoralising” and “a real mental struggle”. Some players are receiving hypnotherapy sessions, which sees them lie on a sofa and guided into a trance where they are then “hit with all the confidence work and the motivation work”.
Dr Linda Duffy, professor of psychology at Middlesex University who was ranked the women’s darts world number one from 1982 to 1987, suffered from it as a player.
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She believes there’s no link between drinking and dartitis. Dr Duffy said the condition is “in the absence of any physical trauma, it’s purely psychological”.
She added: “I used to combat it with extra practice. It was heard of back in the day, but not many people spoke about it.”
She said she prefers to give her patients cognitive behavioural therapy, which reframes it as a challenge they need to overcome.
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Meanwhile, Sunday saw the end of year event return to the Alexandra Palace once again, which last year was won by Luke Humphries after he defeated Luke Littler.
However, away from the action on stage, all eyes will be focussed on the stunning PDC dancers, who boast plenty of talents. The eight dancers on show at the Ally Pally were selected from 200 hopefuls and Daily Star Sport delved deeper to find out just who will be entertaining folks during throughout December and into January… Read the full story here.
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