Anxiety

Question 1

Cue Utilisation

Answer 1

Attention is more focused is a performer can focus their attention on cues that are relevant to their performance at that particular time.

If the cues in the environment are not used effectively, then the sports person fails to gather relevant information from around the field of play e.g. a hockey player not being aware of the space and missing a pass

There is also the danger of being distracted by irrelevant cues such as a person in the crowd shouting at you.

Question 2

Zone of Optimal Functioning

Answer 2

Can sometimes be referred to as the peak flow experience. It is described as being ‘in the zone’ and can be achieved by elite performers by: 
Being relaxed 
Being confident 
Being completely focussed 
Activity is effortless 
Movements are automatic 
The experience is fun 
The performer is in total control 

You can use cognitive training (visualisation & imagery) to achieve this

Question 3

Somatic and Cognitive Anxiety

Answer 3

There are two types of anxiety. They are linked and one can lead to the other.

Somatic Anxiety:
Anxiety experienced physiologically or of the body—for example sweating

Cognitive Anxiety:
Anxiety experienced by the mind—for example worrying about failing

Question 4

Competitive Anxiety

Answer 4

There are 4 main aspects to this theory:
The situation and how people react towards it, for example important game will generate more anxiety than friendly fixtures
Different types of anxiety. People who have high trait anxiety are more likely to have high state anxiety stressful situations.
General or specific anxiety. Some people may experience little anxiety during training situations but high levels during competitive fixtures with a large crowd. This is called competitive trait anxiety.
The competition process. This is how your personality, competitive trait anxiety and the situation interact. This could cause state anxiety.

Question 5

Anxiety definition

Answer 5

Anxiety is the negative aspect of experiencing stress and can be cause by worry or apprehension.
When arousal is high we may be under intense stress in sports situations because of the importance of winning or the pressure from a crowd

Anxiety describes our feelings of being threatened:
threat of physical harm
threat to self-esteem
Threat of letting people down
Fear of punishment
J
Som,,HJ jhje competitoj,n knkkk kd kkkkk Kd knob jj j j HJ. HJ J(Kim,mhhjhjhbhjhrs seem to be able to cope with anxiety and remain calm. Ojk jkkj j. J. Knjj. Nbjljkjlmklllnln ; kd know her can become extremely stressed and even physically ill.lk