Anxiety Flashcards
Anxiety
The negative aspect of stress or arousal.
> Can have positive or negative impact on performance
Anxiety dimensions
> Cognitive anxiety
Somatic anxiety
Cognitive anxiety
> Psychological
Irrational thinking
Belief that they do not have ability to perform
Levels of attention are hindered with thoughts of fear and failure
Somatic anxiety
> Physiological
Body’s response to an individual’s belief that they can’t perform
Symptoms: increased heart rate, sweating, muscle tension, sickness
Symptoms increase anxiety or diminish over time
Anxiety types
> Trait anxiety
State anxiety
Trait anxiety
A personality variable which predisposes us to perceive certain situations as threatening and experience high levels of arousal.
State anxiety
An emotional response, often temporary, which exists in relation to particular situations. (varies in intensity)
e.g. penalty shoot out
Arousal-anxiety relationship
> (over) arousal can lead to anxiety
Anxiety can aid athletes in reaching arousal level to optimally perform
Over arousal can lead to anxiety above optimum level, hindering performance
Catastrophe theory
> Variation of inverted-U
Performance improves as arousal and anxiety increase
If above optimum, a complete loss of performance occurs
Plummet on graph
Choking
The drastic decrease in performance in any high stress situation
> Athlete becomes overly concerned in the outcome - ‘mental autopilot’ switched off
Anxiety symptoms
Physiological: increased heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, respiration, dry mouth
Psychological: worry, inability to focus and make decisions, loss of control
Behavioural: pacing, raised voice, urination
Stress-reduction techniques
> Mental rehearsal
Visualisation
Imagery
Self talk
Pre-game routines
Relaxation techniques
Centring
Thought stopping
PMR (progressive muscle relaxation)
