2.2.7. Anxiety

Question 1

Definition of anxiety

Answer 1

A negative emotional state associated with stress and can be caused by worry, apprehension or fear of failure.

Question 2

What is trait anxiety?

Answer 2

• Anxiety is innate
• It’s stable and enduring
• Consistent across situations, regardless of type or importance

Question 3

What is state anxiety?

Answer 3

• Anxiety arises from a specific situation
• Temporary emotion
• Experience apprehension and fear relating to some parts of their performance e.g. fear of failing, injury or embarrassment

Question 4

Example of trait anxiety

Answer 4

A long jumper is always anxious before training

Question 5

Example of state anxiety

Answer 5

A footballer feeling anxious before taking a penalty kick in football.

Question 6

What is cognitive anxiety?

Answer 6

Psychological

Question 7

What is somatic anxiety?

Answer 7

Physiological

Question 8

Symptoms of cognitive anxiety

Answer 8

• Nervous
• Worrying
• Negative thoughts
• Poor decision making

Question 9

Symptoms of somatic anxiety

Answer 9

• Increased HR
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Increased blood pressure
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle tension

Question 10

What is peak flow experience?

Answer 10

Performers who achieve optimum performance levels and associate this with a particular emotional response
Nothing can go wrong

Question 11

What is the zone of optimal functioning?

Answer 11

The zone of optimal functioning (ZOF) is thought of as an emotional state of well-being.
This zone is an emotional response which facilitates top performance and is referred to as peak flow performance.

Question 12

What characteristics are needed to achieve the zone of optimal functioning?

Answer 12

• relaxed
• confident
• focused
• perform effortlessly
• movements are automatic
• enjoy/ have fun
• arousal control
• in control

Question 13

What does performer A have?

Answer 13

Low zone of optimal functioning

Question 14

What does performer B have?

Answer 14

Moderate zone of optimal functioning

Question 15

What does performer C have?

Answer 15

High zone of optimal functioning?

Question 16

What are the ZOF differences?

Answer 16

• Introverts = lower ZOF and they perform better at lower anxiety levels + extroverts = higher ZOF and perform better at higher anxiety levels
• Circumstances outside of an individual’s performance e.g. suffering an injury
• Different emotional responses linked with performance e.g. perform better calm or perform better if angry.