anxiety in sport

Question 1

define anxiety:

Answer 1

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

Question 2

why does anxiety often arise?

Answer 2

due to players perception of the situation

Question 3

what is competitive trait anxiety?

Answer 3

when a player feels nerves before most games and could be part of genetic make up

Question 4

when is trait anxiety experienced?

Answer 4

prior to all games regardless of importance & any possibility of winning
athlete feels nerves every time

Question 5

what is competitive state anxiety?

Answer 5

a more temporary response to a particular moment in a sporting situation
e.g. taking a penalty in football

Question 6

when does a performer experience state anxiety?

Answer 6

the level varies throughout the game & can depend on the importance of game and mood of performer

Question 7

what is the link between trait and state anxiety?

Answer 7

an individual with high trait anxiety is more likely to experience high state anxiety when faced with a stressful situation

Question 8

what is the test for anxiety levels?

Answer 8

sports competitive anxiety test (SCAT)

Question 9

what is cognitive anxiety?

Answer 9

psychological anxiety that refers to the irrational thinking and worries that may occur before and during performance

Question 10

what may a performer experience whilst experiencing cognitive anxiety?

Answer 10

they may not believe they have the ability to complete the task & may experience nervousness and loss of concentration

Question 11

what is somatic anxiety?

Answer 11

physiological symptoms/the response of the body to the individuals belief that they cannot complete the task

Question 12

what are the symptoms of somatic anxiety?

Answer 12

1) increased heart rate
2) sweating
3) muscular tension
4) nausea

Question 13

when might somatic symptoms be experienced?

Answer 13

at the start of the game but they may reduce as the game goes on

Question 14

what are the three methods of measuring anxiety?

Answer 14

1) self-report questionnaires
2) observations
3) physiological testing

Question 15

advantages of a questionnaire:

Answer 15

1) quick
2) efficient - large numbers of players can be assessed quickly
3) once assessed coaches have results that can be easily compared

Question 16

disadvantages of questionnaires:

Answer 16

1) players may not understand the questions
2) players may not give honest answers (socially desirable answers may be provided)
3) answers may depend on performers mood (e.g. after a win = more positive answers)
4) questions are inappropriate so answers are biased
5) responses can be influenced by time it takes to complete questions (e.g. rushing answers) to lead to incorrect responses

Question 17

what is the SCAT test?

Answer 17

a questionnaire used by sports psychologists developed my Martens in 1977

Question 18

how are observations used to measure anxiety?

Answer 18

watching people in familiar training environments or during a game

Question 19

advantage of observations:

Answer 19

1) they give realistic results that are true to life

Question 20

disadvantages of observations:

Answer 20

1) results are based off opinions of observers
2) opinions can vary where numerous observations are made
3) observers need to know what they are looking for
4) time consuming
5) may need more than one observer to complete
6) behaviours may change if performers realise they are being watched/may feel anxiety or uneasy = invalid results

Question 21

what are physiological measures?

Answer 21

anxiety levels are measured by physiological responses from the body

Question 22

what are common physiological responses to anxiety?

Answer 22

1) increased heart rate
2) increased levels of sweating
3) increased rate of respiration
4) increased levels of hormone secretion

Question 23

advantages of physiological measuring:

Answer 23

1) factual so comparisons can be made easily
2) can be measured during training or real game situations
3) recent technology means heart rate can be measured by electronic devices contained in clothing of performers & info immediately reported to coaches

Question 24

disadvantages of physiological measures:

Answer 24

1) training often required so coaches can learn how to use the devices - cost may deter amateur performers from using them
2) wearing measurement devices may restrict movement
3) performers knowing they are being measured may add additional stress and give false readings