Anxiety Flashcards
What is anxiety
A state of nervousness and worry, a negative response to a threatening sporting experience
What are the 4 main types of anxiety
Competitive state
Competitive trait
Somatic
Cognitive
What is competitive trait anxiety? What is it due to?
A person feels nervous before most games, regardless of importance
It is due to a genetic makeup
What is competitive state anxiety? What can it affect
A temporary response to specific situations
Can affect the outcome of performance if nerves can’t be controlled, levels of anxiety vary throughout performance
What is somatic anxiety
A physiological form of anxiety
Refers to the response of the body to the individuals belief in their lack of ability to
What is cognitive anxiety
Psychological anxiety
Refers to thinking and worries that may be during or before a performance
Example of competitive trait anxiety
A badminton player becoming nervous before a game regardless of its importance
Example of competitive state anxiety
Taking a penalty in hockey, all responsibility is on the penalty taker therefore there will be an increase in anxiety
Give some examples of the types of somatic anxiety a performer can experience
Increased heart rate
Sweating
Muscular tension
What happens when a performer gets cognitive anxiety
Lots of irrational thinking - during and before performance
What does somatic anxiety look like on a level of anxiety to time to competition graph
It increases just before competitions and decreases as the performance begins
What does cognitive anxiety look like on a level of anxiety to time to competition graph
Anxious way before the competition begins and spikes before the competition before reducing slightly during the performance
What does somatic anxiety look like on a performance to time to level of anxiety graph? What shape is this on the graph
Improves performance up to a certain point, if it gets too high it can be detrimental, and performance will deteriorate
Inverted U shape graph
What does cognitive anxiety look like on a performance to level of anxiety graph?
Negative linear relationship, as anxiety increases, performance will decrease
What are the 4 ways to measure anxiety
SCAT test
Observations
Self report questionnaire
Physiological measures
What does SCAT stand for
Sport competition anxiety test
What does the SCAT test do
Distinguishes the difference between cognitive and somatic anxiety
Tests the confidence level of the athlete
When should the SCAT test be completed
1 hour before the event
What happens in an observation
Someone watches a performer during training or a game situation
What is the advantage to observations
Gives a realistic representation of anxiety
What is the disadvantages to observations
Results are based on observers opinion
Results are subjective
Observers must be aware of athletes ‘normal behaviours’
Time consuming
What is a self report questionnaire
Asks a performer to answer a series of questions about their emotions in certain situations
Advantages of self report questionnaires
Quick
Cheap
Suitable for large groups
Objective
Disadvantages of self report questionnaires
Question may be misunderstood
Depending on mood of the performer, answers may vary
Could be bias
Easily rushed
What is a physiological measure
A measure of anxiety through physical response of the body
Eg increase in heart rate, sweating, respiration and levels of hormone secretion
What are the advantages of physiological measures
Factual informations, so comparisons can be made
Responses can be measured in different situations
What are the disadvantages of physiological measures
Training is needed for a coach to use devices
Devices could restrict movement
Performer knowing they are being recorded could add additional stress
How can we control anxiety
Mental rehearsal
Controlling breathing
Ensure high self efficacy (self belief)
Positive self talk
Maintain focus
