Anxiety

Question 1

What is anxiety

Answer 1

A state of nervousness and worry, a negative response to a threatening sporting experience

Question 2

What are the 4 main types of anxiety

Answer 2

Competitive state
Competitive trait
Somatic
Cognitive

Question 3

What is competitive trait anxiety? What is it due to?

Answer 3

A person feels nervous before most games, regardless of importance
It is due to a genetic makeup

Question 4

What is competitive state anxiety? What can it affect

Answer 4

A temporary response to specific situations
Can affect the outcome of performance if nerves can’t be controlled, levels of anxiety vary throughout performance

Question 5

What is somatic anxiety

Answer 5

A physiological form of anxiety
Refers to the response of the body to the individuals belief in their lack of ability to

Question 6

What is cognitive anxiety

Answer 6

Psychological anxiety
Refers to thinking and worries that may be during or before a performance

Question 7

Example of competitive trait anxiety

Answer 7

A badminton player becoming nervous before a game regardless of its importance

Question 8

Example of competitive state anxiety

Answer 8

Taking a penalty in hockey, all responsibility is on the penalty taker therefore there will be an increase in anxiety

Question 9

What happens when a performer gets somatic anxiety

Answer 9

Increased heart rate
Sweating
Muscular tension

Question 10

What happens when a performer gets cognitive anxiety

Answer 10

Lots of irrational thinking - during and before performance

Question 11

What does somatic anxiety look like on a level of anxiety to time to competition graph

Answer 11

It increases just before competitions and decreases as the performance begins

Question 12

What does cognitive anxiety look like on a level of anxiety to time to competition graph

Answer 12

Anxious way before the competition begins and spikes before the competition before reducing slightly during the performance

Question 13

What does somatic anxiety look like on a performance to time to level of anxiety graph? What shape is this on the graph

Answer 13

Improves performance up to a certain point, if it gets too high it can be detrimental, and performance will deteriorate
Inverted U shape graph

Question 14

What does cognitive anxiety look like on a performance to time to level of anxiety graph?

Answer 14

Negative linear relationship, as anxiety increases, performance will decrease

Question 15

What are the 4 ways to measure anxiety

Answer 15

SCAT test
Observations
Self report questionnaire
Physiological measures

Question 16

What does SCAT stand for

Answer 16

Sport competition anxiety test

Question 17

What does the SCAT test do

Answer 17

Distinguishes the difference between cognitive and somatic anxiety
Tests the confidence level of the athlete

Question 18

When should the SCAT test be completed

Answer 18

1 hour before the event

Question 19

What happens in an observation

Answer 19

Someone watches a performer during training or a game situation

Question 20

What is the advantage to observations

Answer 20

Gives a realistic representation of anxiety

Question 21

What is the disadvantages to observations

Answer 21

Results are based on observers opinion
Results are subjective
Observers must be aware of athletes ‘normal behaviours’
Time consuming

Question 22

What is a self report questionnaire

Answer 22

Asks a performer to answer a series of questions about their emotions in certain situations

Question 23

Advantages of self report questionnaires

Answer 23

Quick
Cheap
Suitable for large groups
Objective

Question 24

Disadvantages of self report questionnaires

Answer 24

Question may be misunderstood
Depending on mood of the performer, answers may vary
Could be bias
Easily rushed

Question 25

What is a physiological measure

Answer 25

A measure of anxiety through physical response of the body
Eg increase in heart rate, sweating, respiration and levels of hormone secretion

Question 26

What are the advantages of physiological measures

Answer 26

Factual informations, so comparisons can be made
Responses can be measured in different situations

Question 27

What are the disadvantages of physiological measures

Answer 27

Training is needed for a coach to use devices
Devices could restrict movement
Performer knowing they are being recorded could add additional stress

Question 28

How can we control anxiety

Answer 28

Mental rehearsal
Controlling breathing
Ensure high self efficacy (self belief)
Positive self talk
Maintain focus