Anxiety measures

Question 1

What is a questionnaire?

Answer 1

• Performer must answer a series of questions about their emotions in different situations.
• Example: Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT).
• Coaches then evaluate which performers need help with managing anxiety.

“Questionnaires are a series of questions used to asses the levels of anxiety experienced by a performer”.

Question 2

Advantages of questionnaires

Answer 2

• Quick, cheap and efficient.
• Large numbers of ppts can be assed at once.
• Results can be compared easily.
• Identifies weaknesses, and allows coaches to implement training programmes and strategies to overcome stress + anxiety.

Question 3

Disadvantages of questionnaires

Answer 3

• Ppts may not understand the question being asked.
• They may not answer truthfully, they want to be seen as socially desirable.
• Answers will depend on the mood state a performer is in whilst taking the test.

Question 4

What is the SCAT?

Answer 4

• Sports Competition Anxiety Test.
• 15 statements designed to measure how a player responds to competitive sporting situations.
• The test can distinguish between somatic and cognitive anxiety.
• Should be completed an hour before the event to gain an accurate result.

Question 5

SCAT (more info)

Answer 5

• Test also measures confidence levels.
• Coach can predict how players might behave in competitive situations, and plan accordingly.
• Stress management techniques can be implemented for both cognitive and somatic.
• The higher the score, the higher your competitive anxiety.

Question 6

What is observation?

Answer 6

• Anxiety can be measured by simply watching sports people, either in their training environment or during a game.
• Observation is seen to be true to life.
• Behaviour can be analysed before, during or after a game.

“Observations involve watching a performer during competition to assess signs of anxiety evident in their performance”.

Question 7

Advantages of observations

Answer 7

• Offers a real life method= allows the coach to assess anxiety in the most relevant environment.
• Better validity of results- if the coach knows their players and behaviours.

Question 8

Disadvantages of observations

Answer 8

• Very subjective- observers perceive situations differently.
• Time consuming.
• May need more than one observer to complete.
• Performers may change their behaviour if they know they are being observed.
• Performers may feel more stressed/ anxious if they know they are being watched.

Question 9

What are physiological measures?

Answer 9

• Performer must wear specialist equipment in order to gather the data needed.
• Responses to anxiety can be measured in training or game.

” Physiological measures monitor symptoms of somatic anxiety including increased HR, perspiration/ sweating, respiration rate, secretion of certain hormones/ adrenaline”.

Question 10

Advantages of physiological measures

Answer 10

• Objective data- factual, ‘real life’.
• Comparisons can easily be made.
• Electronic devices can be easily contained within a performer.

Question 11

Disadvantages of physiological measures

Answer 11

• Coaches will need to be trained in how to use the equipment properly.
• Physiological measures must be interpreted (all changes will not be due to anxiety).
• Expense of equipment.
• Some devices may restrict movement.
• The performer is aware and this may cause additional anxiety.