6.2.1 - anxiety

Question 1

define anxiety

Answer 1

the negative aspect of stress, characterised by irrational thinking, loss of concentration and fear of failure

Question 2

what are the two types of anxiety?

Answer 2

trait and state

Question 3

define trait anxiety

Answer 3

personality trait, consistent and stable
e.g a player worried before all games, anxious behaviour all the time

• high trait anxiety would mean performer is more likely to have a higher state anxiety

Question 4

define state anxiety

Answer 4

situation dependant, temporary rush of anxiety, caused by threatening circumstances
e.g taking a penalty

Question 5

what are the two types of anxiety symptoms?

Answer 5

somatic and cognitive

Question 6

what are somatic symptoms?

Answer 6

• muscular tension
• shaking
• pacing
• poor coordination
• sweating
• increased HR

(inverted-u)

Question 7

what are cognitive symptoms?

Answer 7

• irrational thinking/nerves
• worrying
• confusion
• loss of concentration

(negative linear)

Question 8

what causes anxiety?

Answer 8

• increased competition
• running out of time when losing
• letting the team down
• injury
• being watched
• playing badly

Question 9

when do we become anxious and how can we prevent it?

Answer 9

• days before the competition, cognitive anxieties are higher.
• we become more anxious 1hr30min pre competition, both cognitive and somatic anxieties increase (somatic increases much more, both have an inverted-u shape that reach peak at the start of the event)
• could prevent anxieties by employing anxiety control methods before 1hr30min pre comp

Question 10

what are the 3 ways we can we measure anxiety?

Answer 10

• questionnaires
• observations
• physiological methods

Question 11

what are the advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires? and give an example of a questionnaire

Answer 11

ADVANTAGES
- quick, cheap, easy, results allow easy comparison
DISADVANTAGES
- inaccurate answers, socially acceptable answers, answers depend on mood, questions lead to biased answers, responses influenced by time taken to complete

SCAT - sports competition anxiety test
extended to the
CSAI - competitive sport anxiety inventory in 1990

Question 12

what are the advantages and disadvantages of an observation?

Answer 12

ADVANTAGES
- true to life, during a real game
DISADVANTAGES
- behavior changed when watched, subjective (observers opinion), must know the performer, many need more than 1 observer, time consuming

Question 13

what are the advantages and disadvantages of physiological methods?

Answer 13

ADVANTAGES
- factual, allow comparison, responses can me measured in real game situations, specific
DISADVANTAGES
- may cause stress when measured, may need to train using the equipment, expensive equipment, device may restrict performance