3.5 Arousal, Stress And Anxietyv

Question 1

Stress

Answer 1

Stress is a state of physiological or psychological tension produced by internal or external forces

Question 2

Stressors

Answer 2

A stressor is internal and external stimuli that causes stress

Question 3

External stressors

Answer 3

Are usually a physiological and measure-able such as extremes in temp illness and hard physical training

Question 4

Internal stressors

Answer 4

Are usually psychological for example change of coach failing a test

Question 5

Arousal

Answer 5

Often defined as the activation or readiness of the mind and body.

Question 6

Anxiety

Answer 6

Feelings of worry or concern and or negative thoughts and feelings

Defined as: a feeling of apprehension closely associated with our own concept of fear

Question 7

The inverted U hypothesis (termed and Dodsons)

Answer 7

States that as arousal increases so will the quality of performance until arousal passes beyond an optimal level. Beyond this optimal range of arousal performance will diminish

Question 8

The inverted U hypothesis affected by

Answer 8

Individual athlete (personality, experience etc)
- experience of the athlete: beginners arousal level will be optimally low
- personality
- perception of comp

Type of skill or sport: fine/ gross simple / complex

Question 9

Catastrophe Theory (Hardy and Fazey)

Answer 9

The theory is three dimensional as it includes physiological arousal and performance and cognitive anxiety

Increased arousal will benefit performance as long as cognitive anxiety is relatively low

Cognitive anxiety and physiological arousal are high reaching the threshold creates a catastrophic effect

Question 10

Simple vs complex tasks

Answer 10

Tasks perceived as simple or easily achieved will require higher levels of arousal

Question 11

Fine motor skills vs gross motor skills

Answer 11

Skills that require controlled, precise movement will require less arousal.

Question 12

Indicators of over arousal

Answer 12

Butterflies in stomach

Increased urination

Clammy hands

Flushed skin

Increased respiration

Increased HR

Feeling tired

Constant movement

Feeling overwhelmed

Question 13

Indicators of Under Arousal

Answer 13

Boredom

Poor performance choices

Lack of energy

Skill errors

Poor concentration

Lack of internet

Skill errors

Question 14

Relaxing the over Aroused athlete (Athlete Directed)

Answer 14

Engage in preferred relaxation technique

Focus on TRF

Seek out others who are calm

Engage in a preferred distracting activity

Question 15

Relaxing the over aroused athlete (coach directed)

Answer 15

Down play the importance of the contest and the result

Provide time for relaxation

Present a calm presence themselves

Remind the athletes of their thorough and appropriate preparation

Keep sport in perspective

Question 16

Arousing the under aroused athlete (athlete directed)

Answer 16

Play loud stimulating music

Set personal achievement challenges

Watch motivational videos

Engage in a vigorous warm up

Question 17

Arousing the under aroused athlete (coach directed)

Answer 17

Stress the importance of the result

Give athletes a publicised responsibility

Give the athletes a pep talk

Provide performances goals to be achieved

Question 18

Trait Anxiety

Answer 18

Essentially the anxiety of our personality or an underlying disposition to certain levels of anxiety in a particular situation

Question 19

State Anxiety

Answer 19

The anxiety inherent or associated with a situation

It is how the athlete feels at a specific moment within a particular situation

We each will have different performance/arousal curves in the same and different situations
- experience
-skill level
- difficultly of the task
- uncertainty of a result
- stress in other areas of our life at that time

Question 20

Competitive anxiety

Answer 20

Comp can cause athletes to react both physically (somatic) and mentally (cognitive) in a manner which can negatively affect their performance abilities.

Question 21

Choking

Answer 21

High stress levels can negatively influence performance these influences can ranges from butterflies to a panic attack and affect athletic performance. This is commonly known as choking. When the pressure builds up and the importance of the situation makes it hard to control one’s emotions a sportsmen can become physically unable to execute the easiest of sporting skills