Arousal

Question 1

Define Arousal.

Answer 1

Level of activation, readiness to perform, involving physical and psychological factors.

Question 2

List 5 Physiological/Somatic Symptom of Arousal.

Answer 2

Increased Heart Rate.
Increased Breathing Rate.
Sweating.
Headache.
Cold, Clammy Hands.
Constant need to Urinate.
Dry Mouth.
Feelings of Nausea.
Shaking/Tremors.
Increase Muscle Tension.

Question 3

List 5 Psychological/Cognitive Symptoms of Arousal.

Answer 3

Anxiety and Apprehension.
Tension - Mental Strain.
Negative Self-Talk.
Difficulty Sleeping [racing thoughts/nightmares]
Inability to Concentrate.
Increased Reaction Time [reduced processing time]
Confusion.

Question 4

What are the causes of increased arousal?

Answer 4

Audience.
Frustration.
Major Game / Competition.

Question 5

Define Dominant Response.

Answer 5

A well learned skill that the performer will use under pressure.

Question 6

Explain Hull’s Drive Theory [1943]

Answer 6

As arousal increases, so does performance in a linear fashion.
An increase in drive leads to increase in performance, due to more effort being put in.
At high arousal, performers revert to their dominant response because less information is being processed.

Question 7

Explain the Inverted U Theory [1908]

Answer 7

• Performance will improve as arousal increases until it reaches the point of Optimum Arousal.
• If arousal increases past this point, performance will start to worsen.

Question 8

Explain the Catastrophe Theory [1987]

Answer 8

Increased arousal improves performance up to an optimal point, if performance increases past the optimal point, performance will have a dramatic reduction.

If arousal continues to increase, performance will continue to deteriorate, but if there is a recovery of arousal levels, and a gradual return to the optimal point.

Question 9

Explain Zone of Optimal Functioning.

Answer 9

Zone = Area of controlled arousal and high performance , zone is different for everyone.

Question 10

What happens whilst in the Zone?

Answer 10

• Motions feel effortless and on autopilot.
• Remains calm under pressure.
• Have high self confidence and success is inevitable.
• Complete focus on task, very controlled.
• Leads to peak flow experience.

Question 11

Explain Peak Flow.

Answer 11

The ultimate intrinsic experience felt by athletes from a positive mental attitude, with supreme confidence focus and efficiency.

Question 12

What are the positive effects of Peak Flow?

Answer 12

• timing, action and movement appear to be perfect.
• level of challenge matches their skill level.
• have a clear flow.
• high level of confidence.
• total focus on task.
• positive attitude.
• balanced emotions.

Question 13

What are the 4 factors of Peak Flow?

Answer 13

Anxiety.
Peak Flow.
Apathy.
Boredom.

Question 14

What are the factors that affect Peak Flow?

Answer 14

• poor mental preparation.
• environmental influences.
• fatigue, difficult task.